Mayor’s Application for Waiver Calls Chancellor Choice ‘a Visionary’
By JAVIER C. HERNANDEZ
Published: November 17, 2010
By Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s account, there is little Cathleen P. Black has not done.
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She helped build the first skyscraper after Sept. 11. She established an internship program to bring more minorities into journalism. And she consistently made the list of the most powerful women in business.
In a six-page letter to state education officials on Wednesday, Mr. Bloomberg seemed intent on leaving no accomplishment unmentioned, even citing an award she received for volunteer work after Hurricane Katrina to help offset her lack of experience in education.
Under state law, the chancellor must hold a professional certificate in educational leadership and have at least three years of experience in schools. But the state allows waivers for “exceptionally qualified persons.”
In his letter, Mr. Bloomberg contended that Ms. Black met that threshold because her experience as a top executive at Hearst Magazines had taught her the skills of managing large and unwieldy organizations.
Eight years ago, in a similar letter written on behalf of the current schools chancellor, Joel I. Klein, Mr. Bloomberg praised