Cathie Black's Departure Not Surprising

The departure of Cathie Black outgoing New York City Schools Chancellor should come as no surprise to anyone, least of all to Cathie Black herself. The former head of the Hearst Organization in a closed door meeting with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, formally stepped down as head of the nation's largest school system Thursday morning. Black, who had no formal experience as an educational leader who also sent her children to private schools, was appointed by Bloomberg and confirmed by the State in November 2010. The appointment of Black to the coveted post did not come without controversy. Her lack of educational experience did not sit well with politicians and least of all with parents who questioned her effectiveness and efficiency to provide quality leadership to New York City's children. Despite political and parental concerns as well as vehement protests, Bloomberg who has vowed to make education the top priority in his final term, appointed Black and used back door wheeling and dealing and secret meetings to solidify her position for the post. Once this information was revealed to the public through various news outlets as well as newspapers and magazines, parents and politicos alike continued to be outraged while Bloomberg and Black both looked the other way.


Once Black was ceremoniously confirmed, she went on a 'tour' of New York City Schools to meet parents, students and teachers. Her public appearances did little to qwell the ire of those who still felt that she was unqualified for the position. In her public appearances Black appeared to be detached and uncomfortable especially in photo-ops with the students with whom she was supposed to be leading.  Things only got worse for Black when she went to a Town Hall like meeting to prevent the closure of 10 New York City schools and became disrespectful when parents took her to task about not only her qualifications or lack thereof  but also of her plan to prevent the closure of the schools in question. When her disrespectful demeanor and disposition became too much to bear, parents heckled Black who went on to do the same to them. This did nothing but leave a bad taste in the parents mouths who thought her disrespect was a slap in the face to them as stakeholders in their children's education.


Things continued to go downhill for Cathie Black when she jokingly suggested that the best way to curtail school overcrowding was through birth control. Instead of being humble about the leadership position that she was in despite her unqualifications and trying to work with parents to find solutions to help turn the school system around, her insolence and bourgeous attitude did little to create a healthy and functioning relationship between her and parents. With her approval rating at a dismal 17%, coupled with the fact that key leadership positions have been quickly vacated by highly respected (and qualified) individuals since her arrival like the buobonic plague, Mayor Bloomberg had to recognize the error of his selection. In what was referred to as a 'mutual decision', Bloomberg and Black agreed it was in Black's best interest to step down after only 4 months on the job. Mayor Bloomberg has appointed Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott, a product of New York City public schools, to take her place. What's next for Black is uncertain but what is clear is that she was a bad fit from the very beginning. As painful as the decision was to make, the reality is that it had to be made. Dealing with corporate America and dealing with children are two very different things and require two vastly different approaches. Children are not little corporate executives although they have the potential to be executives in the making. It takes teamwork and cooperation between parents and leadership to provide effective leadership to those who need it the most--children.