Newly Empowered NYC Education Panel, Looking Like the Compliant One of Old

Javier Hernandez:

It had been derided as a committee of puppets, a rubber-stamp board with no clear power or purpose. So when word came from Albany over the summer that the Panel for Educational Policy would have greater power over the New York City schools, some thought things might be different.

The old days, however, did not seem far behind at the panel's first meeting of the school year on Monday: The "ayes" were nearly unanimous, and friction was virtually nonexistent.

Last month, lawmakers broadened the board's powers when they renewed Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's control of the schools, giving the panel oversight over contracts and school closings.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at September 16, 2009 1:55 AM
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