Takeovers
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School & District Management
N.Y.C. Mayor Gains Control Over Schools
In a high-stakes political victory, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has secured near-total control over New York City's vast public school system. A new state law, signed by the governor last week, represents the most profound governance change for the city's schools in 30 years. Includes an accompanying story, "Contract Agreement Gives Teachers 16 Percent Raises."
School & District Management
N.Y. District Braces For State Takeover
For many in the mostly African-American, working-class community of Roosevelt, N.Y., an impending state takeover of schools signals an ominous blow to local control, and has come to symbolize the historical neglect of predominantly black districts.
School & District Management
Phila. Panel Taps Temple University, Others to Run Troubled Schools
In a decision that could prove pivotal for Philadelphia's school system, the appointed panel running the district has chosen three school management companies and three nonprofit organizations to manage 75 of its lowest-performing schools.
School & District Management
Takeover Team Picked in Phila.
The appointed panel in charge of the Philadelphia public schools announced plans last week to hire 12 companies and nonprofit groups to offer advice on how to turn around the beleaguered district. But the move raised a host of questions and fueled fears that private companies would gain too much control of the school system.
School & District Management
Community Groups Looking to Run Phila. Schools
In a nationally watched move last December, Pennsylvania took over the country's eighth-largest school district. As part of that shift, nonprofit community groups will run low-performing local schools in partnership with for-profit school-management companies or other organizations by fall.
School & District Management
It's Official: State Takes Over Philadelphia Schools
Philadelphia's 200,000 students returned from winter vacation last week to the same desks and books they had 12 days earlier. But a profound change had occurred while they were gone: The state took charge of their schools and embarked on what is sure to be one of the nation's most scrutinized educational experiments.
School & District Management
Finances at Issue in Delay Of Phila. Schools Takeover
Pennsylvania's governor and Philadelphia's mayor have delayed until Dec. 21 the impending state takeover of the city's schools in an attempt to make more cordial and cooperative a shift of power that many Philadelphians already view as an unfriendly intrusion.
School & District Management
Phila. Takeover Deadline Marked by Protests
As top deputies for Philadelphia's mayor and Pennsylvania's governor parried last week over how the state will take over the city's schools, hundreds of chanting citizens stopped rush-hour traffic to demonstrate their opposition to hiring private management to run their neediest schools.
School & District Management
Troubled West Virginia District Invites State to Take Over
It may come as no surprise that the state of West Virginia has seized control of the troubled McDowell County school district. But in an unusual twist, the takeover came at the request of the district's own leaders, who acknowledged that they could no longer handle the job.
States
State Journal
Down on Top-Down
As the administrator charged with running the fourth school district taken over by the state of California, Henry Der possesses all the powers formerly held by the local school board and its superintendent. But he's determined not to act that way.
School & District Management
Embattled Kansas City Schools Chief Resigns
In less than a week, Kansas City's superintendent Benjamin Demps Jr., was fired—and then reinstated by a federal judge—before resigning April 23 with six of his top aides. State legislators, meanwhile, are considering reviving a bill seeking a state takeover of the school system.
States
News in Brief: A State Capitals Roundup
- N.M. Legislature Passes Bill That Includes Merit-Pay Plan
- Pa. Governor Wants Aide as Chief
- N.Y. State Eyes District Takeover
- Audit: Mass. Misspent Ed. Money
School & District Management
Rift Between Board, Chief Has K.C. in Turmoil
The contentious relationship between Kansas City, Mo., Superintendent Benjamin Demps Jr. and school board members has temporarily derailed the district's desegregation case and spurred state lawmakers to speed up plans to take over the troubled system.
States
News in Brief: A State Capitals Roundup
- Mass. Governor Tapped for Ambassador Post
- Kentucky Extends Takeover of Floyd County District