Cathleen Black Suit Rejected

The state did not wrongfully grant Cathleen Black a waiver allowing her to serve as head of the city's schools despite not having ample education experience, an Albany Supreme Court judge ruled Wednesday, rejecting a lawsuit brought by Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries and a dozen other parents.

The ruling, issued by Justice Gerald Connoly, found that the plaintiffs did not prove that state Education Commissioner David Steiner by allowing Black to become the schools chancellor provided she appointed Shael Polakow-Suransky deputy, who has more of a traditional education background.

"There is no assertion…that the Commissioner considered Mr. Polakow-Suransky's qualifications in assessing Ms. Black's qualifications," wrote Justice Connoly.

The lawsuit, which Connoly rejected along with two others challenging Black's appointment, paves the way for the former media executive to take over the city school system after the New Year.

"This decision should bring an end to the politicking and grandstanding and allow us all to focus on what matters most: continuing to improve the quality of education we offer New York City's public school children," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Opponents of Black were considering their next move.

 "The decision by Judge Connolly is extremely disappointing, but we will not throw in the towel," said Jeffries. "Cathie Black remains unqualified to be chancellor. We will make a determination about whether to appeal shortly."

Bloomberg's appointment of Black in November immediately set off a firestorm of controversy, as it became clear that she had only a bachelor's degree in English and extensive experience at the top of Hearst Magazines.

Opponents' criticisms of Black were reminiscent of the same ones made against outgoing chancellor Joel Klein regarding his resume when he was first appointed in 2002.

Klein went on to become the longest-serving chancellor in city history.