Running for office is exciting, rallies, crowds shouting your name, and, if you win: ecstatic! After winning, managing is tough, constant decisions, frequently no “right” answer, crowds applauding as well as calling for your head! Everything you inherit becomes your fault, blizzards, 5 degree weather, your fault. Friends working in your campaign become enemies when you make a decisionContinue reading “Can Hochul, Mamdani and Menin Become a Polyamorous Throuple?”
Tag Archives: politics
Exploring the Pluses and Minuses of the Proposed NYS Heath Act
The SF Teacher Strike ended with a tentative settlement, the major issue was the cost of health plan; teachers in SF pay $1500 a month for family coverage. “San Francisco teachers cheered the tentative agreement — especially its coverage of 100% of premiums on family health plans, which run about $1,500 per month, beginning next January” SeeContinue reading “Exploring the Pluses and Minuses of the Proposed NYS Heath Act”
The Polar Vortex, Spinning the News and Confronting Generational Poverty
Woke this morning, 5 degrees, I never want to hear the words “polar vortex” again, face mask, three layers, ski mittens, life goes on. Maybe Springsteen and Big Bunny have turned the tide, if there’s anyone left to write the history of our era it will be fascinating, in my darker moments I see usContinue reading “The Polar Vortex, Spinning the News and Confronting Generational Poverty”
Can Parents (and Friends) End Mayoral Control and Create an Inclusive NYC School District Leadership Collaborative?
Candidate Mamdani opposed mayoral control, he supported a system empowering a role for parents and teachers; however, without any specificity. For many of us his opposition to mayoral control was the tipping point, it determined our vote and we expected him to establish a process to engage parents and teachers in the chancellor search. “I’ve beenContinue reading “Can Parents (and Friends) End Mayoral Control and Create an Inclusive NYC School District Leadership Collaborative?”
Is New York City Facing a Fiscal Crisis? What are the Implications?
There is no Spring Training for Mayors, a month into his tenure Mamdani faces a yawning deficit, yes, he inherited the deficit, it belongs to our new mayor. In June, 2025 Mayor Adams (and City Council) passed a $114 B budget, restoring a long list of proposed cuts. Seven months later the newly elected Comptroller,Continue reading “Is New York City Facing a Fiscal Crisis? What are the Implications?”
A Primer: Getting Things Done in City Hall and Albany
“It’s all politics.” (Grrr!) The dictionary definition of politics is simply the process by which governing decisions are reached. In a government classroom we may begin with Athenian Democracy, men met and decided how the city-state of Athens would be governed, only the male citizens, not the slaves, not women, the governors were randomly decided,Continue reading “A Primer: Getting Things Done in City Hall and Albany”
Does the First Amendment Protect Teachers from Speech Outside of the Classroom?
The Texas Education Commissioner has sent a letter to Texas school superintendents announcing investigations into teachers and staff who have “posted and/or shared reprehensible and inappropriate content on social media” about the assassination of Charlie Kirk TEA states the posts “could constitute a violation of the Educators’ Code of Ethics” and could result in sanctions.Continue reading “Does the First Amendment Protect Teachers from Speech Outside of the Classroom?”
A Socialist Mayor in a Capitalism Driven City: Can They Co-Exist?
The culmination of an election is a coronation, the swearing in with pomp and circumstance and the Mamdani ceremony fit the bill. Thousands of supporters, taking place on the steps of City Hall, a choir from an elementary school with Mandy Patinkin, a poem written for the occasion, Bernie Sanders administering the oath of officeContinue reading “A Socialist Mayor in a Capitalism Driven City: Can They Co-Exist?”
Will Mayor Mamdani, City Speaker Menin and Governor Hochul “Play Nice?”
As the ball drops and Mayor/Elect Mamdani becomes Mayor Mamdani and on New Year’s Day his block party and inaugural speech to tens of thousands of NYers: a victory lap and rolling out his platform: affordability and public safety will be at the top of his list. A week later the 51-member City Council will electContinue reading “Will Mayor Mamdani, City Speaker Menin and Governor Hochul “Play Nice?””
Who’s the Next Chancellor? and Who’s Going to Select Her/Him?
Chalkbeat, the online education news site (If you don’t subscribe (it’s free), you should) muses re the next chancellor and mentions a number of names, speculation, mere guesses. First, changing chancellors in midstream is not recommended, you either inherit the last chancellor’s leadership team or replace them in the middle of the school year, neitherContinue reading “Who’s the Next Chancellor? and Who’s Going to Select Her/Him?”
Ed in the Apple: Blogging on the Intersection of Education and Politics Title 