As Albany legislators near a decision for reauthorizing Mayoral Control, debates on School Governance in New York City intensify. Today, Public Advocate Gotbaum said: "We know there are several different proposals in Albany that would create a more meaningful process for parental participation—and I believe they all have merit. For this reason, I have suggested a process for increasing parental participation. This process mirrors the Contracts for Excellence process, established by the State Legislature, in which parents and the community provide oversight of expenditures related to the Campaign for Fiscal Equity.
"Some of the bills being considered seek to ensure that the Office of the Public Advocate has oversight authority over the DOE - I strongly support this component. I also whole-heartedly endorse the proposal of a “Parent Academy” put forth by the Campaign for Better Schools. Such an entity where parents can receive training, attend workshops, and receive help from independent advocates, would serve as an essential complement to any process that Albany enacts".
Read the full testimony.
Regarding legislative issues up for review in Albany: What is the status of the Mayor's proposal (outlined in the State of City Address 2009) to make 7 minor violations over a 2-year span (for quality-of-life laws, presently qualifed as less than a misdemeanor) a felony? This issue is serious, with deep, broad implications and impact; however, the press and public have remained largely silent about this proposal.
Posted by: Homebody | June 05, 2009 at 12:02 PM