Koslowitz Renews Pledge To Work With Cathie Black

who was officially confirmed on Monday as the city's next schools chancellor, will have the support of Forest Hills Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz.

In a statement, Koslowitz said she would do her part as a member of the council's education committee to ensure that the schools in Forest Hills are of the highest caliber.

"As a member of the education committee and on behalf of the constituents of the 29^th District, I will work with the new chancellor to make sure that the voices of parents and the needs of students are heard and met," Koslowitz said. "We have great schools in this city and our children deserve the best education possible."

In the past, Koslowitz had expressed some trepidation over Black's potential as the top schools officer in the city, noting that Black's children attended private schools.

There was some intense scrutiny for Black after her nomination by Mayor Bloomberg, with some council member's signing a statement asking New York State Education Commissioner David Steiner to deny her a waiver.

Ultimately, even after having Black's appointment spurned by an educational advisory panel, Steiner agreed to grant Black a waiver. As part of the appointment, Bloomberg agreed to appoint an academic advisor to serve as her right-hand man on education issues.

Bloomberg said he was pleased by the decision, and advocated that it was time for the city to focus on the schools themselves, not their new chancellor.

"It is now time to put politics aside and recognize that it is in the best interest of our children for Cathie Black to succeed as Chancellor," the mayor said in a statement. "The crucial work that lies ahead requires all of us to come together around our shared commitment to our children. Over the next weeks and months, Cathie will be meeting with parents, teachers, elected officials and community leaders to listen and hear from them. She knows, as I do, that nothing is more important than providing a world class education for our kids."