The Deny Waiver Coalition had gathered at the courthouse Sunday to urge—as their name suggests—that Black be denied a waiver allowing her to serve as schools chancellor because she lacks education experience.
After a panel of educators denied Black the waiver, the final decision was left up to State Education Commissioner David Steiner. Steiner granted the waiver on Monday with the condition that education department official Shael Polakow-Suransky, who has appropriate education experience, would act as her chief academic officer.
The Deny Waiver Coalition will take legal action to challenge the waiver under guidance of noted civil rights lawyer Norman Siegel.
“A person driving a car could not say to an officer, my passenger has a license,” said Assemblywoman Inez Barron, arguing that the credentials must be held by the person in power. Black has been repeatedly defended as a candidate based on her business acumen in publishing.
“During her distinguished professional career, Ms. Black has demonstrated a skill critical to the chancellorship, namely the ability to lead a large multifaceted organization confronting enormous challenges and complexities,” wrote Steiner in a 12-page waiver letter.
“Because of its size and complexity, the city’s Department of Education has a large leadership team of experienced educators,” further noted Steiner, arguing that where Black lacks experience, her team does not.
The Deny Waiver Coalition plans to remain vocally opposed to the appointment they say shows that business interests have taken prevalence over education in the school system. They have also decried the increasing privatization of public schools.
“We don’t believe a business model is working for our kids,” said Noah Gotbaum, president of the Community Education Council in District 3.
“Our public schools open and close like their franchises,” he claimed in light of what he says is an increasing involvement of business people in the school system.
State Sen. Bill Perkins said the waiver is sending the wrong message to students.
“It is called, in laymen’s terms, cheating,” he said.
Although waivers have been granted to previous chancellors, including Joel Klein, this is the first time a waiver has been granted despite a denial from a panel of educators.
The coalition argues that chancellors of color have had to display impeccable credentials. In a public school system composed of 70 percent African American and Latino students, they say Cathleen Black is out of touch with the needs of the student body.
The Deny Waiver Coalition will hold a protest march every day next week, finally visiting the Upper East Side on Friday to join Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Steiner, and Black for supper on their home turf, as they put it.
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