Changes in Personnel at Tweed and NYSUT

Hmmmm......Chairman Chang resigned from the Panel For Educational Policy. I'll gladly receive any emails or calls from anyone who can give me the real scoop on why.

Of course, as everyone knows I believe all the PEP members should resign, because sooner or later they will probably be sued by NYC parents for harming their children and they all should run for the hills while they still have a chance. PEP members all know, or should know, that you have no legitimate right to vote on teacher terminations, approve school closings, etc. You are all appointed, and therefore do not directly represent anyone. I think we had a revolution several years ago about "no taxation without representation", didn't we?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


November 12, 2010

No. 466

http://www.nyc.gov/

MAYOR BLOOMBERG APPOINTS ROBERT REFFKIN TO THE PANEL FOR EDUCATIONAL POLICY

Panel Chairman David Chang Resigned Last Friday

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today appointed Robert Reffkin to the Panel for Educational Policy, replacing Chairman David Chang who resigned from the Panel on Friday, November 5th, 2010. Mr. Reffkin is a Vice President in the Principal Investment Area of Goldman Sachs & Company. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, he was an Associate in the Mergers & Acquisitions Group at Lazard Frères, where he founded the firm’s Sponsors for Educational Opportunity Professional Internship program for minority students.

“In our efforts to reform and improve New York City public schools, David has been an invaluable member of the Panel for Educational Policy for eight years,” Mayor Bloomberg said. “Robert will be able to build on that progress by bringing exceptional problem solving skills and civic commitment, which will serve our schools and children well.”

"I want to thank David for his hard work and commitment to serving New York City’s public schools,” Chancellor Klein said. “His leadership and knowledge as an educator have been instrumental in our work to implement educational reforms. Robert’s professional background will be an asset to the Panel for Educational Policy and will help us successfully meet the Mayor’s educational goals.”

“I am incredibly honored to be appointed to the Panel for Educational Policy,” said Robert Reffkin. “Education provides the best pathway to opportunity, and I believe it is the most important issue facing New York City and our country. I look forward to working with Mayor Bloomberg and the Department of Education to ensure that all students in New York City have access to an education that will prepare them for the challenges of the 21st century.”

Mr. Reffkin currently serves on the boards of the Citizens Committee for New York City and New York Needs You – a nonprofit he founded to provide mentorship to first-generation college students. He is an Adjunct Professor atBrooklyn College where he teaches Small Business & Entrepreneurship. In 2005, he was appointed as a White House Fellow to serve as a special assistant to the Secretary of the Treasury. He is the former Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Bronx Success Academy 1. Mr. Reffkin earned his B.A. from Columbia University and M.B.A. from Columbia Business School.

The Panel for Educational Policy was created to replace the former Board of Education and is responsible for approving standards, policies and objectives directly related to educational achievement and instruction, as well as the Chancellor’s regulations and department contracts. The Mayor appoints eight panel members and each Borough President appoints one. The new Chairman of the Panel will be elected at the Tuesday, November 16th meeting.

Contact: Stu Loeser/Jessica Scaperotti (212) 788-2958
Natalie Ravitz/Deidrea Miller (Education) (212) 374-5141

At NYSUT, Chief Counsel James Sandner has retired.