Originally Published: May 18, 2015
Calls for Permanent Extension of Authority
Also Advocates for Changes to Make System More Accountable, Transparent, and Participatory
In advance of the June 30, 2015 sunset date for mayoral control of New York City’s education system, Citizens Union today reaffirms its support for mayoral control of New York City schools and calls for its permanent extension. This comes as the State Assembly votes today on a bill to extend mayoral control for only three years, half of the time when it was first renewed in 2009.
The organization believes that the decision by the state of New York in 2002 and again in 2009 to assign to the mayor of the City of New York direct responsibility and control for the city’s educational system remains sound policy as it has overall improved the system for most, but not all students. This centralized approach has brought mayoral responsibility and support for public education to a level not seen under the old system, and ushered in important and needed accountability that rests with the mayor, who is elected directly by New York City voters. As a consequence of this support, mayoral control has brought welcomed change and needed stability, direction, funding, and progress to the education of the city’s 1.1 million public school students.
Citizens Union believes that the fully implemented policy change from 2002 and positive experience now warrants permanent extension to allow New York City lasting responsibility for educating its students. The state legislature’s planned and continued role in reauthorizing mayoral control undercuts the city’s desire for, and Citizens Union’s interest in, greater home rule. Though education policy is set primarily at the state level by the Board of Regents and state funding is provided by the governor and legislature, it gives us concern that legislators from across the state have a significant role in determining the specific governance structure and administration of New York City’s public school system. We are further concerned that the renewal of mayoral control has become a political football that has been tied to other issues such as lifting the caps on charter schools, and allowed for political jockeying.
Given these political consequences and policy considerations, Citizens Unions supports the permanent extension of mayoral control to minimize the ability for future consideration of the law to be utilized for political purposes rather than to the benefit of the city’s school children.
Citizens Union also reiterates its support for reforms it proposed in 2009 to strengthen the mayoral control approach to ensure it is even more accountable, transparent, participatory and effective. These positions were first adopted by Citizens Union in 2009 in its report, “IMPROVING MAYORAL CONTROL: Strengthening Accountability, Transparency and Parental Participation in Public Education.” These recommendations are summarized and can be found in the updated position statement.