Originally Published: June 3, 2015
Argues Lasting Mayoral Authority Needed to End Permanently the Cyclical Political Fight Over NYC Control of Its Own Schools
Advocates for Changes to Make System More Accountable, Transparent, and Participatory
With only 7 days left in the legislative session, Citizens Union calls upon the state legislature to immediately renew mayoral control of New York City public schools, and specifically calls for its permanent extension. The lapse in 2009 of mayoral control must not be repeated.
Citizens Union believes that the fully implemented policy change from 2002 and positive experience since then 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 and more effective self-governance of its school system.
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 is unfortunate that legislators from across the state have a significant role and unnecessary voice in determining the specific governance structure and administration of New York City’s public school system. We are disturbed that the renewal of mayoral control has become a political football tied to other issues such as lifting the caps on charter schools, and allowed for needless political jockeying.
Citizens Unions supports the permanent extension of mayoral control to bring about effective local accountability in the education 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.