Parents Rally Over Mayoral Control of Schools

MYFOXNY.COM - Dozens of parents rallied outside of the office of state Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith. They were part of an effort organized by a group called the Campaign for Better Schools, calling for reforms to the law that allows the mayor of New York City to control public schools. That law expires at the end of June.

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Gov. David Paterson supports extending the law because he says Mayor Michael Bloomberg has done a good job with schools. But many city parents say that checks and balances on the mayor's power need to be added to the law. The rally was designed to give Sen. Smith that message. They delivered thousands of post cards from concerned parents.

Smith, who was not at the district office during the rally, says he supports the parents' rights to make their voices heard. His office issued this statement:

"I would like to thank all those concerned parents and educational advocates who showed up today to make sure their voices were heard on the issue of mayoral control. As a parent myself, I understand that nothing is more important than renewing our commitment to providing a quality education for our children.

"Mayoral control has proven to be a far bigger success than what came before it, but no policy is perfect and I want to take this opportunity to enhance the measures that need improvement by providing parents with greater input and avenues for participation in their child's education and ensuring greater fiscal accountability. I look forward to a rigorous debate on what is best for our children and remain steadfast in my commitment to enacting a policy that will allow our children to continue to have the educational tools they need to thrive."

-Sen. Malcolm Smith