[TNS-list] Citty council hearing on mayoral control of school boards: monday acti on!!!

[michhand at juno.com]

This year our school has faced the challenges of an admission mandate crisis, more standardized tests, and now damaging budget cuts with more to come. 
The state law that established mayoral control over our school expires
in June of 2009. State legislature would have to decide whether mayoral
control should remain as it iS, should be moderated or eliminated altogether.
Yes, there were problems with school boards, and the Bloomberg/Klein run DOE has had a complex evolution. The School Leadership Team feels that one of the main problems with Mayoral Control has been lack of public  and parental voice in what is happening in our school and city. 
 Below are several attachments:
1.Info about Monday's (3/3) city council hearing on the issue
The SLT encourages as many people as possible to learn about the issue.  Attend the hearing to show that we want a voice, and we encourage you to submit statements at the hearing or to testify. We also hope you will continue to fight the budget cuts, get involved in the excessive testing issue and to write to city council members about mayoral control. 
2. Also attached is: 
Information with some of the issues and history of problems with mayoral control  (michele's summary)
Please also link to :
betsy gotbaum's website 
  http://pubadvocate.nyc.gov /news/releases_statements.html
3.An article on the issue from City Journal Website:
 Grading Mayoral Control http://www.city-journal.org/html/17_3_mayoral_control.html
ALSO link to timeoutfromtesting and pERformanceassessment.org for more info

The state law that established mayoral control over our school expires
in June of 2009. State legislature would have to decide whether mayoral
control should remain as it is today, needs to be moderated in
some way, or should be eliminated altogether. Next Monday, March 3rd, the
City Council will hold a hearing on this issue -see attached flyer-.

For those of you that agree that total mayoral control over our
schools limits our ability to effectively voice our concerns regarding the
changes that the DoE imposes on our children's education, now is a good
chance to make your opinions heard. If you can not attend the hearing,
inform your council member where you stand and encourage him/her to voice your
opinion.

   Rosie Mendez -East Village- <rosie.mendez at council.nyc.ny.us> 212-677-1077
   Alan Gerson   -Lower East Side- <gerson at council.nyc.ny.us> 212-788-7727
   Christine Quinn, Council's speaker <Quinn at council.nyc.ny.us> (212)
 
http://www.city-journal.org/html/17_3_mayoral_control.html
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