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Know Your Enemies: Merryl Tisch

For those not paying attention, New York City Mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio has gone on record as saying that he would place a moratorium on co-locating charter schools in New York City.  Co-location is when a public school has to give up parts of it’s own building so that a charter school can have that space to operate in.  It has become a major problem for New York City public schools.  Additionally de Blasio has said that he would charge those charter schools rent for operating in public school buildings.

None of this sits well with New York State Board of Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch, who thinks the public dislikes teachers.  Tisch, whose family is connected to charter schools and for profit education companies, blasted de Blasio over his position on charter schools.

“Anything that you do that makes it prohibitive for charter schools to grow and thrive in New York City is not a great way to proceed,” Tisch said. “I’m sure charter school operators are paying attention to campaign rhetoric.”

She added: “I want New York to be a place where charter schools grow and thrive. Charter schools are public schools. Charter schools have been a valuable alternative to failing schools. They’ve been a valuable part of rebuilding public schools.”

Somebody should remind Merryl Tisch that charter schools are not public schools.  Just because they siphon money away from public schools does not make them public schools.    Public schools don’t get to shut down to hold rallies.   Public schools don’t get to fire entire grades of children.

Know Your Enemies ladies and gentlemen… Merryl Tisch, New York State Board of Regents Chancellor.