Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver last night unveiled a proposal preserving mayoral control over the city’s schools.
The plan was outlined for Assembly Democrats during a closed-door meeting to discuss renewal of the 2002 landmark law — set to expire June 30 — which gave the mayor authority over the city’s sprawling school system.
The legislation, presented by Education Committee Chairwoman Cathy Nolan (D-Queens), makes minor concessions to opponents of mayoral control.
The Independent Budget Office and city comptroller would be empowered to scrutinize school-performance data and Department of Education finances.
The department would have to announce school closings 45 days in advance and hold public hearings before carrying out closure plans.
The proposal also gives more power to district superintendents.
It still leaves the mayor in control of the Panel on Educational Policy, which signs off on many strategy changes. He’d continue to appoint eight of its 13 members.
The mayor now has the power to fire any of his appointees who don’t follow his directives; it’s not clear if he’d retain that right.
The plan closely resembles a proposal put forth last week by Senate Majority Malcolm Smith, suggesting agreement was taking shape between the two houses.
“I can live with this,” said Assemblyman Michael Benjamin (D-Bronx), who supports the current system. “It’s a fair compromise. It shows that Shelly and Cathy listened.”
But Assemblyman Micah Kellner (D-Manhattan), a critic of mayoral control, said, “It’s a toothless proposal. It’s all aesthetic changes.”