Res. No. 446
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass A.11549, legislation which would amend the selection process for the Chancellor of Education in the City of New York by requiring that the Mayor obtain the advice and consent of the New York City Council when appointing a Chancellor.
By Council Members Fidler, Jackson, Dromm, Brewer, Cabrera, Chin, Comrie, Gentile, James, Koslowitz, Lander, Mendez, Recchia, Rose, Van Bramer, Vann, Williams, Dickens, Halloran and Ulrich
Whereas, The Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education oversees the largest public school system in the United States, with over 1,600 schools and 136,000 employees serving approximately 1.1 million students, and a $21 billion operating budget; and
Whereas, Currently, the chancellor of the New York City school system is appointed by and serves at the sole pleasure and discretion of the City's Mayor; and
Whereas, The New York City Council is the law-making body of the City of New York, comprised of 51 members from 51 different Council Districts throughout the five boroughs; and
Whereas, The Council monitors the operation and performance of City agencies, makes land use decisions and has sole responsibility for approving the City's budget; and
Whereas, The Council is a partner with the Mayor in the governing of New York City, except in the area of education; and
Whereas, Participating in the selection of a chancellor is in keeping with the oversight that the Council exercises over other City agencies; and
Whereas, This democratic approach would ensure that there is meaningful community involvement in decisions regarding the appointment of a Chancellor; and
Whereas, With the advice and consent of the City Council, the people of New York can more properly have their interests considered and represented in the selection of the Chancellor for this agency with such a crucial and wide impact; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass A.11549, legislation which would amend the selection process for the Chancellor of Education in the City of New York by requiring that the Mayor obtain the advice and consent of the New York City Council when appointing a Chancellor.
LS# 1385
JA
8/5/10