Schools Chancellor to Strike Back at Candidates Critical of Mayor's Policies

By Javier Hernandez and Al Baker:

Charter schools would no longer be allowed space in traditional school buildings. Neighborhood school boards would be given more oversight over superintendents and principals. Cellphones, long considered contraband in schools, would again be permitted past the door.

The Democratic candidates for mayor have promised, in varying degrees, to revamp the city's school system by undoing some of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's signature policies.

The attacks have put City Hall on the defensive, leaving aides worried about the future of one of the most ambitious efforts in the nation to overhaul education.

Fearing a sea change, the city's Education Department has worked over the past few months to lock in critical components of Mr. Bloomberg's agenda. Education officials have reserved space for charter schools more than a year in advance, called for a permanent system for evaluating teachers and sought new contracts for school bus routes, saving money in part by eliminating union job guarantees.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at May 20, 2013 1:31 AM
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