Cathie Black Resigns

Cathleen P. Black, who was named as New York City schools chancellor last fall, has stepped down at the mayor’s urging, city officials said, after a tumultuous and brief tenure, according to the New York Times.

Black will be replaced by Deputy Mayor Dennis M. Walcott, officials said.

In Bed-Stuy, was met with intense opposition, as many parents and administrators protested what they felt was a blatant lack of experience.

The mayor staunchly defended his decision at the time, and the State Education Commissioner David Steiner went ahead and granted Cathleen Black the waiver she needed to become the chancellor of the New York City school system.

Well, it seems as if the mayor has had a change of heart.

Ms. Black’s resignation came as a surprise to her detractors and supporters alike and also follows the departures of several other high-ranking education officials.

Update, 1:30 pm

Statement from Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries:

"The resignation of Cathie Black represents an extraordinary public acknowledgement by City Hall that her appointment did not serve the best interest of our public school children," said Jeffries, a public school parent, and the lead plaintiff in Jeffries v. Black which argued that Cathie Black did not have the professional training and experience under the law to be New York City's Schools Chancellor.

"This administration has had several public policy successes but has often been reluctant to admit failures. Many parents and community stakeholders remain skeptical about the Department of Education and its policies. The departure of Cathie Black creates an opportunity for the DOE to move in a different direction.

"I have disagreed often with Mayor Bloomberg on his education decisions, but the appointment of Dennis Walcott is a significant step in the right direction."