“Today, the best interests of the children of New York City were put first with the kind of leadership that is clearly lacking in Albany. As I have said, the last thing I wanted to see was the sunset of mayoral control, which I believe has greatly enhanced the quality of education for our students, families, schools and teachers of this city. But it’s time to move forward, and I applaud the Board of Education for not wasting a single day in doing just that—by providing Chancellor Klein with the authority he needs to continue the progress of the past seven years until such time the Senate fulfills its duties and approves mayoral control.”

——Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz

“I am proud that my fellow Board members moved swiftly and decisively to ensure stability and continuity for our public school system by voting to retain Chancellor Klein and keeping the pressure on the State Senate to approve the mayoral control bill. Our mission is to do what is right for the students of New York City, and the best way to do that is to make sure that all of the great strides made over the past seven years do not sunset along with mayoral control. We must remember that this is about our children, and I believe the Board’s actions have sent a clear message to students, parents and teachers that our kids will always come first.”

——Carlo Scissura, Board of Education member

The Board set the date of its next meeting as September 10, the first Thursday after Labor Day.

The full text of the Board’s resolutions regarding the Chancellor and the urging of the New York State Senate to vote on Senate Bill no. S5887, which would extend mayoral control until June 30, 2015, is below.

RESOLUTION APPOINTING A CHANCELLOR, APPROVING REGULATIONS OF THE CHANCELLOR THAT REQUIRE BOARD APPROVAL TO REMAIN IN EFFECT, AND ADOPTING REGULATION ON DELEGATION OF POWERS TO THE CHANCELLOR

Resolved, that the Board appoints Joel I. Klein to serve as Chancellor, and directs the President of the Board to enter into a contract with the Chancellor on behalf of the Board on the same terms as those in the contract dated November 14, 2002, except that the Chancellor shall be removable by the Board. 

Resolved, that, in order better to discharge its policy-making and other functions and to provide for the efficient administration of the educational system, the Board hereby approves all current regulations of the Chancellor that require its approval to remain in effect, and adopts the following regulation: 

The Board hereby delegates to the Chancellor all powers under law, including but not limited to its powers under Articles 52 and 52-A of the Education Law, that may lawfully be delegated to the Chancellor.  This delegation includes, but is not limited to, authority to award and execute contracts, without restriction as to dollar amount or purpose, pursuant to procurement policies adopted by the Chancellor prior to June 30, 2009, without further action by the Board. 

RESOLUTION URGING THE NEW YORK STATE SENATE TO ACT IMMEDIATELY TO ADOPT S5887

WHEREAS, before the landmark Mayoral control legislation enacted in 2002, meaningful educational progress in New York City was stymied by a governance structure in which there were frequent political battles and no real accountability for results;

WHEREAS, under the governance structure enacted by Chapter 91 of the Laws of 2002 and Chapter 123 of the Laws of 2003, Mayoral control has brought stability and accountability to the New York City school system. Under Mayoral control, New York City children have made substantial progress, with rising test scores, declining dropout rates, and a narrowing of the achievement gap;

WHEREAS, the legislation adopted in 2002 and 2003 provided for a sunset date of June 30, 2009, whereupon provisions enabling Mayoral control would no longer be in effect and the form of governance which predated the reforms would be revived;

WHEREAS, the New York State Assembly has adopted Assembly Bill no. 8903-a, which would extend Mayoral control until June 30, 2015;

WHEREAS, identical legislation was introduced in the Senate as Senate Bill no. S5887, but the Senate did not vote on it in time to prevent the Mayoral control legislation from sunsetting; and

WHEREAS, the failure of the Senate to act in time to avoid sunset has created chaotic conditions in the City school district, where virtually every decision – from personnel decisions to policy decisions – could be subject to litigation and uncertainty;