Parent Sues to Block Schools Chief
By SHARON OTTERMAN
Published: December 3, 2010
The father of two Brooklyn public school children filed a lawsuit against state education officials on Friday to stop Cathleen P. Black, a publishing executive, from becoming the next New York City schools chancellor.
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Times Topic: Cathleen P. Black
The suit, filed by Eric J. Snyder of Park Slope, was the first formal legal challenge to Ms. Black’s appointment, although more are expected.
The suit argued that David M. Steiner, the state education commissioner, erred in his interpretation of the law when he issued a waiver to permit Ms. Black to become chancellor even though she lacked the required education credentials and experience.
Citing state education law and the commissioner’s regulations, the suit claims that while the required graduate course work and teaching experience may be waived for “exceptionally qualified” people, they do not allow the commissioner to waive a separate requirement that the chancellor possess a master’s degree, and calls for Mr. Steiner’s decision to be annulled.
Ms. Black, 66, holds only a bachelor’s degree in English from Trinity University in