Wth Friends Like These...
April 13th, 2007
In the annals of public relations, Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s blistering attack earlier this week on opponents of his school changes may stand out as an example of what not to do. Faced with growing opposition to his latest scheme to reorganize the school system — again — Bloomberg likened the teachers union to the National Rifle Association, slammed the city’s newspapers for not being sufficiently gung ho and produced a letter signed by 100 supporters of the plan
But the move to drum up support quickly hit some snags. For one, while characterizing his opponents as special interests, Blomberg seemed to overlook what some might call a conflict of interest among his supporters. Among them, Andrew Wolf writes in the Sun, “nearly every individual or group… either has a contract with the Department of Education or has matters pending before some city agency, or is the recipient of largesse coming from Mr. Bloomberg ’s own pockets.
On the other hand, Wolf says, “when reporters asked whether any of the signatories to the letter themselves had children in the public schools….Only one person, I am told, raised his hand.”
“Given the fact that among the many critics of their proposals are parents legitimately concerned about what these funding cuts might mean for their children, in terms of the loss of experienced teachers, class size, or essential services, I don’t know how he can call us “special interests,” Leonie Haimson writes in NYC Public School Parents.
The fact of the matter, says Dorothy Giglio of the Region 6 High School Presidents Council is that there is widespread opposition to the latest reorganization scheme. “If I heard from one parent over the last five years that thought the first reorganization was good for their children or for them, I might rethink my position, but the opposite is exactly what I have heard, over and over again.” She says. “To the people who lined up behind the ayor, for what ever their ‘special’ reason: Shame. They are pandering in order to gain jobs, or contributions or just because they consider him a friend.”
By Gail Robinson on April 13, 2007, 12:04 pmIn category: Education, Gotham City | 1 Comment »



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April 19th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
[...] Since mayoral control was instituted, Bloomberg and his education department have resisted most attempts by council, parents or just about anyone else (business groups and high priced consultants excepted) to influence school policy. But today’s News thinks there might be a thaw. It reports the administration is trying to talk to the teachers union –yes the same group he recently likened to his arch nemesis the NRA – and parents to win support for the plan How much is the mayor willing to budge. Not much apparently. “There were crumbs for everybody,” a person who attended one meeting told the paper. Compiled by Gail Robinson [...]