I laugh when Chancellor Carmen Farina claims she only selects the best talent to be a Superintendent. Yet, the Chancellor apparently selects Superintendents based upon political loyalties rather than for their educational knowledge. In fact, I believe the Superintendents are the weakest link in the New York City school system. Far too many of these Superintendents fail to remove terrible principals and look the other way when uncertified teachers are hired and teaching Regents courses that only hurts the students. Just take a look at some of these Superintendents:
Amiee Horowitz:
She is a close friend of the Chancellor and oversees the failing Renewal Schools as Superintendent; Ms.. Horowitz, has been associated with some very questionable issues and you can read themHere and Here.
Juan Mendez:
Where do I start? Since he became Superintendent he has protected some of the worst principals in Queens. You can read it Here. Moreover, Mr. Mendez is a defendant in a racial discrimination lawsuit brought by the federal government. yet he still is a Superintendent.
Lenon Murray:
This Queens District 29 Superintendent was arrested for repeatedly groping a female co-worker and was finally fired once the arrest occurred. Unlike other educators who are not allowed to enter a DOE facility, Mr. Murray visits his office when he feels like it and a lawsuit was filed by the frightened female subordinate who must see him every time he appears at the office.
Estrella Alexandra:
Now we have Superintendent Estrella Alexandra, who was fined $3,000 by the City's Conflict Of Interest Board, for selling a teacher her house, while Principal of her school. Yet, the Chancellor saw no problem making her Superintendent of District 4 in Harlem. Yes, the very same Estrella Alexandra who selected and tried to protect Monika Garp as Principal of CPE1 and ignored protests by parents and teachers and even the Mayor before finally being forced by the Chancellor to remove the Principal from the school. You can read the storiesHere andHere. Interestingly, Daily News education reporter, Ben Chapman, once again, did not do his due diligence. He failed to mention the Superintendent's involvement in the CPE1 fiasco and took the DOE pr spin which claimed she has a spotless record. Another terrible reporting job by Ben Chapman.
The bottom line is that none of these Superintendents should be in the position they're in, especially Estrella Alexandra who has shown poor judgment and is not trusted by parents and teachers in her District.