FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release # 013-00
Sunday, January 9, 2000
Contact: Sunny Mindel/Matthew Higgins (212) 788-2958
"Today's vote underscores the fact that the Board consistently puts job retention ahead of the education of children. The swing votes have opted not for the best qualified candidate, but the candidate strongly supported by the unions.
"Bob Kiley has precisely the significant administrative experience necessary to guide the Board at this troubled time. He would have been the choice on the merits and a person who would have been truly independent, including independent of the union. The choice by a closely contested 4 to 3 margin was for someone who lacks both the education experience required by law and the administrative and management experience required by common sense. The only reason for this choice is the worst kind of politics instead of the best interests of the children."