School Chief May Not Get Waiver - WSJ.com

School Chief May Not Get Waiver - WSJ.com

School Chief May Not Get Waiver

By BARBARA MARTINEZ And MICHAEL HOWARD SAUL

Daniella Zalcman for The Wall Street Journal

An advisory panel appointed by State Education Commissioner David Steiner, center, met Tuesday to review Mayor Michael Bloomberg's request for a waiver to appoint Cathie Black as schools chancellor.

David Steiner, the state education commissioner, has "serious concerns" about granting magazine executive Cathie Black the necessary waiver so that she can become the next New York City schools chancellor, according to a person familiar with his thinking.

The commissioner, however, would be more open to granting a waiver request if it includes a plan to pair Ms. Black with a strong deputy with educational experience, this person said.

Mr. Steiner "recognizes the leadership qualities" of Ms. Black, the person said, but education