Aug 7, 2009 6:06 am US/Eastern
NY Senate Seals Mayoral Control Of NYC Schools
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Mayor Michael Bloomberg. (File)
CBS
New York's Senate has approved continued mayoral control of New York City schools and created an oversight committee with subpoena power to closely monitor the system.
Democratic Sen. Bill Perkins of Manhattan says the committee will be a check on what he called mayoral dictatorship of the schools.
Republicans say Thursday it was created to satisfy some outer-borough Democrats who were the most ardent critics of extensive control of school operations and policy by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, his chancellor and their appointed administrators.
The Assembly has already passed the main bill and Gov. David Paterson supports it.
Since taking control, academic performance among the 1.1 million public school students has soared.
But critics argue Bloomberg's approach relies too heavily on test scores, and takes control away from parents.
"We have a mayor who tells parents to butt out," said parent Patricia Connelly.
The new bill however tackles some of those concerns and senators are expected to consider several amendments that would bolster parental participation.
Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada is backing the amendments, which include allocating $1.6 million for parents' training.
The Senate will likely confirm several of Paterson's appointments as well. Some judges and a new leader of the state Liquor Authority are expected to be considered.
CBS 2's Kathryn Brown contributed to this report.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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