Cathie Black Out As New York City Schools Chancellor; Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott To Lead Schools

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Cathie Black is being replaced as New York City's schools chancellor Mayor Bloomberg said in a news conference.



Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott will replace her. Walcott has served as the Deputy Mayor for Education and Community Development, which oversees and coordinates the operations of the Department of Education. A graduate of New York City public schools PS 36, JHS 192, and Francis Lewis High School and a lifelong resident of Southeast Queens, Walcott began his career as a Kindergarten teacher after graduating from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut with a Bachelor's degree and a Master of Education. He earned a Master of Social Work from Fordham University and served as an adjunct professor of social work at CUNY's York College.

Cathie Black was appointed to the position November 9th by Mayor Bloomberg.



Bloomberg said he takes full responsibility for Black not working out as schools chancellor. The two met Thursday morning and decided it was best for her to step down.


"The progress we have made in our schools over the last nine years has been extraordinary," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Cathie Black became Chancellor of our school system earlier this year and worked tirelessly to continue to build on our progress. I have nothing but respect and admiration for her, but we both agree it is in the City's best interest if she steps down as Chancellor. I am pleased to announce that Dennis Walcott a key part of, and a leader on, all of our education reform initiatives will serve as the City's new Schools Chancellor."


Black, the former Hearst chairwoman and former publisher of USA Today, has been largely shielded from the public since Bloomberg announced her appointment.


Critics said that Black's lack of experience in public education and the secrecy surrounding her appointment put her at a disadvantage when she took the reins of the 1.1 million-pupil school system.

Earlier this week a poll released found that 17 percent of New York City adults say the former media executive was doing a good or excellent job, down from 21 percent in early February. Twenty-three percent say they don't know how to rate her work or haven't ever heard of her.

When faced by heckling from hostile parents she heckled them back. And she made a misstep by joking that school overcrowding could be fixed with birth control.