Chancellor Choice...
Levy Takes The Helm

Having won the Mayor’s favor, outlasting the competition, and with the final vote scheduled for that afternoon, Harold Levy still made time to pick up his office phone, keep his sights on the big education picture, and personally get business done.

Queens Board of Education member Terri Thomson (right) stood by Levy as the swing vote to make him interim Chancellor and called his unanimous selection for the permanent slot "fabulous". Tribune Photo By Ira Cohen

"Congratulations," the Tribune said over the wire, and the man who was about to take on the system, the politics and the budget battles of educating 1.1 million children responded, "Thank you, I think."

Harold Levy left his "interim" status this week and became the permanent choice for Board of Education Chancellor of the City of New York. "People don’t do things like this for rational reasons," he explained, "They do it for a sense of purpose, for their self-worth, to help the future, and I guess as part of their spirituality."

And he added to his list of motivations, "I’m not adequately selfish." He described the job as "larger than the comfort or self-interest of one person . . . it is such an extraordinary opportunity to be in a position to effect the most important social issue of the day. "

And as Levy’s thoughts drifted from the Board’s political business to a phone call from Borough President Claire Shulman to discuss a proposed school site in Maspeth, his number one priority for the chancellor’s office was just two words: "teacher quality."

In January of 2000, Queens Board of Education Member Terri Thomson stood as the swing vote that swayed against the Mayor’s interim chancellor choice and put Levy into the slot. However, what made headlines then and angered the Mayor faded this week into Mayoral support. Giuliani was "very cordial, very nice" to Levy when they spoke last, Levy said, and Thomson added that she knew it would turn out well all along.

"I always felt that once Harold and the Mayor began communicating, they
would have a great synergy. They have more in common philosophically and stylistically than they would have
thought. They are both strong managers and they both have ‘can do’ attitudes . . . Harold put a priority on building a relationship with the Mayor."

Thomson added that Levy’s selection as the new Schools Chancellor is a "fabulous thing."

"From the very beginning we said that what the Board really needs is a strong manager, a non-traditional person. It is very important that [Levy] thinks like a business person and it shows because of his management skills, his decision making, his personal passion and his will [to make things better]. He has shown that we can, and will, move mountains on behalf of our 1.1. million school children."

New School Site In Maspeth – Foremost in the Chancellor’s thoughts about Queens education as he went into his day was a city council hearing held yesterday to discuss the fate of what was once an Edwards on Grand Avenue in Maspeth and what may become a school or a Staples.

He praised Borough President Claire Shulman for her willingness to use eminent domain to insure buildings for schools, adding "I find it very hard to believe there is a community uproar for a Staples. They can call Staples’ 1-800 number if they really need stationery. I happen to know that they respond over night." He added his sadness at seeing the issue "set neighbor against neighbor" and his confidence that a 900-seat school would be built on the site in the city’s most overcrowded district. And for those worried about the valuable neighborhood property, he added "in a few years after it is there, it will even increase their property values."

School Board 29 – Levy explained simply that he suspended this south Queens board because "they repeatedly violated Chancellor Crew, dismissed the incumbent he put in place, then replaced that person with one of their own choosing. I am disappointed with the performance level of that district and now they have a first rate administrator" appointed by Levy. That administrator, Michael Johnson, "is one of the best talents I’ve ever seen" Levy said, adding that he is getting a flood of letters from parents happy with the chances they are seeing.

Overcrowding – Levy described the problem in Queens as "extreme" and said the only solution was in finding more money for renovation and construction. "It is caused by a lack of adequate facilities," he said simply. The five year capital budget asked for $11 billion to work on the problem, they were granted $7 billion when what they could use is "a multiple of that," he said, but he indicated that he was not going to give up hope or the fight for more space and more money.

Shulman echoed Levy’s concerns over capital funds, adding that "Crew’s capital budget" included "wish money" which he never actually expected to see. However, Shulman said she has the funds to create 23 school sites and she will see them all built.

As for her morning call to Levy, Shulman said she wanted to "wish him well and thank him" for his support in the council hearing over the Maspeth site. He said that Levy has "enough strength and backbone to do what we need," and her only concern remaining is summer school. However, "I’ve seen his plan and it looks pretty good," Shulman said.

Levy’s impending appointment generated excitement throughout the public school system in Queens as the system waited for the results of the unanimous vote.

When Levy took over the position on an interim basis, he contacted every principal in every school in the city and asked for suggestions via e-mail. The reaction has been positive, and each principal contacted by the Tribune appeared galvanized as a result of Levy’s appointment.

Jeremiah McCabe, principal of P.S. 13 in Elmhurst said, "I’m very pleased that [Levy] reached out. It’s great that a line of communication opened up. He’s been there a short time and seems very enthusiastic."

McCabe said that his school is 140-percent over capacity, and that he hoped additional schools would be created quickly.

The principal of I.S. 61 in Corona, Phyllis LaPerchia, added, "He responded to my e-mail. He wants to use technology to open up communication. I think that he’s going to be very good. Levy is a well-rounded individual. He’s someone you feel comfortable talking to."

P.S. 21 in Flushing is headed by Ann Paulson, who appreciated Levy’s efforts. "I thought it was wonderful. I’ve never had the opportunity to have a dialogue with a chancellor. I look forward to working with him. He listens to concerns and responds to them." Paulson added that her main concerns involved extra space for classes and the English Second Language program (ESL).

Principal Joseph Cantera of P.S. 237 in Flushing said of the e-mail, "I thought it was a very positive thing to do. As a principal, this is the first time anyone listened from the chancellors office. I feel a connection that my opinion really matters -- and I don’t feel isolated."

Dr. Eileen Kramer, principal of P.S. 18 in Queens Village said, "I thought he was being very creative and trying to do a good job from day one. This is the first time there has been a dialogue with the chancellor that I can remember."

And M.S. 158’s Anita Gomez-Palacio, added, "He was asking our opinions and evidently he is acting on them. He seems to touch all bases and is reaching out."

Kenneth Warden, principal of J.H.S. 72 in Jamaica, said, "It’s refreshing that he would reach out to all school sites to find out our take on the kinds of services we provide. He valued our input."

Michael Serber, principal of the Academy of American Studies in Long Island City, felt "It’s always good to have the chancellor in touch with you. It hasn’t happened since I’ve been a principal."

And on behalf of the Council of Supervisiors and Administrators (CSA) which represents the principals of the city, Queens’ Jill Levy added, "He’s been an interim. He comes to the job with a new perspective, and he’s focused on what he believes he needs to do. I certainly would like to see who he recommends to bring on board to deal with the educational issues. We support him and wish him well."

In perspective, the now-Queens Congressman Gary Ackerman, who was once a New York City public school teacher in Jamaica, added, "If we had Levy 20 years ago the NYC school system would be the premiere system in the nation, as I expect it will become 10 years from now under his leadership."