AFT President Will Not Become NYC Schools Chancellor
New York City Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio put to rest rumors that American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten will become Chancellor of New York City Schools. As a proponent of forced dues for teachers, and a reputation for blocking education reform, Weingarten’s appointment would only mean more disaster for New York City’s students. The AFT president learned her craft from the late Sandra Feldman and Al Shanker, founder of the AFT, both advocates of forced dues for teachers. Sean Higgins has the story in the Washington Examiner.
“I have never had that conversation with anyone,” he told reporters Tuesday. “I don’t know where you’re getting that from.”
That’s good news for the city. Should Weingarten get the job, it will be the death knell for any form of education reform.
Weingarten has roots in the city, having been president of AFT’s New York branch prior to ascending to the top of the union.
Since then, she has been a fierce foe of any attempt to bring accountability to schools, opposing vouchers, charter schools, merit pay and firing low-performing teachers.
A New York public school principal once told the New Yorker that Weingarten “would protect a dead body in the classroom.”