Media Leader Tapped to Head N.Y.C. Schools

Neither Joel I. Klein, the outgoing chancellor of New York City schools, nor Cathleen P. Black, his designated replacement, had extensive backgrounds in education when they were selected to head the nation's largest school system.

—Seth Wenig/AP

By Christina A. Samuels

When Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg sought a leader for the New York City schools in 2002, his outside-the-box choice was Joel I. Klein, a former assistant U.S. attorney general who had no experience as a school administrator.

Eight years later, in seeking a replacement for Mr. Klein, Mr. Bloomberg has tapped yet another person from outside education: publishing executive Cathleen P. Black.

Her selection last week as the chancellor of the nation’s largest school district appears to have surprised everyone beyond the mayor’s inner circle. But as a nontraditional appointee to head a large urban district, she...