While Chiara’s revelation is, by all means, a big story, attention still likely turns now, with the holiday over, to when the new Mayor will fill out his cabinet -- and with whom! With only six days remaining before de Blasio’s inauguration, he still hasn’t named a schools chancellor. The only thing we do know is that the announcement won’t come Thursday -- de Blasio’s public schedule is empty.
And so we wait, and the longer we wait, the more I wonder what is going on behind the scenes to delay the announcement.
Mark Naison has been tweeting all kinds of warnings about de Blasio picking a reformy chancellor, suggesting that is what may ultimately happen:
@ya_kamagana Some. Carmina Farina should have been appointed a week again. Something happened and it's not good.
— Mark Naison (@McFiredogg) December 26, 2013
I would agree that the delay is unsettling.
We know that de Blasio has been getting pressure from the Obama administration to appoint a pro-test person.
I would say one thing - you can bet the reason for the delay in the chancellor announcement from de Blasio is not a good reason.
As Naison says, given that she wants the job and de Blasio supposedly wants her, Farina should have been announced a week ago.
That she wasn't means there is something funky going on behind the scenes.
Totally agree. And on the other hand, there it's no one else rumored at this point. So if out if a reformy person, they sure are good at keeping it under raps.
ReplyDeleteIt's true, whatever's going on right now is a well-kept secret. There have been no rumors out of the rumor mill for a few weeks now.
DeleteSo basically Obama is telling Blasio what to do...?
ReplyDeleteDN reported Obama administration officials were pushing for a pro-testing, pre-reformy chancellor.
DeleteSo...this is how it may go...? Blasio wants the preK tax to go through as his,signature act...but in order to get the tax hike through, Cuomo tells him that Blasio nuts,choose,from a list,of 5 reformies for Chanc. Job? It's all just one big. Horse trade...?
ReplyDeleteThat could be one scenario happening, yes.
DeleteDeBlasio's mantra and campaign slogan a tale of two cities gets thrown into the dumpster if he appoints a reform minded chancellor. Obama is in no political position to offer advice at this point of the health care controversy. My guess the chancellor has already been selected and DeBlasio awaits the departure officially of Bloomberg before naming the new chancellor. Bloomberg at the 11th hour initiate some spiteful policy to muck up the works, so we wait!
ReplyDeleteI think the chancellor pick, if it were truly done, would have been announced already.
DeleteRead todays Times article in the NY Region on Bloombergs corporation counsel fighting until the last breath to secure the Bloomberg legacy. There is the answer to those who suspect the fix is in regarding a new chancellor. DeBlasio has also yet to name a new corporation counsel for the city why? same reason he awaits the departure of the Bloomberg administration officially. The same rationale for the lack of appointment of a new chancellor. My Guess, Farina on an interim basis.
ReplyDeleteThe cynic in me thinks if the pick was a done deal, it would have been announced already.
DeleteBloomturd IS a spiteful little POS....that's for sure...
ReplyDeleteI think you're being too kind.
DeleteDon't discount Farina's support for PS 15 where an epic battle over a charter co-loco ensued and where on a day before she might have been appointed Farina introduced Diane Ravitch. She is not dumb and knew exactly what she was doing -- sending a message to charter industry and DeB that she would not be a roll-over patsy for charters. Given that the UFT really wants Cashin and probably the charter industry would prefer her too -- a political animal who could be manipulated -- these forces may be operating behind the scenes to kill a Farina apptmt or delay it.
ReplyDeleteI found your post on this very interesting, Norm. I am sure that could be one of the reasons for the delay, yes.
DeleteSo here it comes, the kids, parents and we teachers are going to get screwed again by another Mayor with a pro test, CCSS curricula Agenda.
ReplyDeleteHard to say until the pick is announced, but it sure is unnerving that here we are on Dec 27 and nobody has been chosen.
DeleteAbsolutely. Progressive Democrats are the new Tea Party.
ReplyDeleteExcept the Tea Party actually gets the GOP to follow through on their policy wishes. Progressive Dems get screwed by their "progressive pols" and still they vote for them again and again. Like co-dependents.
DeleteWhoever the new chancellor is there is a lot of work to be done. See this comprehensive review on Diane Ravitch's blog http://dianeravitch.net/2013/12/20/tweed-insider-where-the-bloomberg-administration-went-wrong-on-education/
ReplyDeleteThat assumes the next chancellor wants that work done and that damage undone. If Shael is part of the transition, perhaps nothing much will change.
Delete