Calling it a joyous day, Mayor-Elect Bill de Blasio announced Monday his long-awaited appointment of Carmen Fariña as Schools Chancellor. In naming Fariña to lead the nation’s largest school system, de Blasio—himself a public school parent—emphasized his commitment to working with parents as partners in education, establishing truly universal pre-kindergarten for four-year-olds and after-school programs for middle schoolers, and prioritizing college and career readiness over high-stakes testing.

“Carmen won’t just be my chancellor as mayor; she’ll be my chancellor as a public school parent, Mayor-Elect Bill de Blasio said at the announcement in Park Slope. “For years, I’ve watched her innovate new ways to reach students, transform troubled schools and fight against wrongheaded policies that hurt our kids. Carmen has worked at nearly every level of this school system. She knows our students, teachers, principals and parents better than anyone, and she will deliver progressive change in our schools that lifts up children in every neighborhood.”

Incoming Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña, 70, said she was looking forward to working for a mayor with a “progressive agenda.”

“True change happens not through mandates and top-down decision-making, but through communication, collaboration and celebrating the successes along the way,” Ms. Farina said. “Raising the success rate of our students is the only goal. I anticipate the entire city will aid us on this effort.”

State Senator Simcha Felder, chairman of the Senate NYC Education Sub-Committee, praised Ms. Farina’s appointment. “As Chairman of the New York City Education Sub-Committee, I congratulate Carmen Fariña on her appointment as Chancellor,” Mr. Felder said in a statement released by Mr. de Blasio’s transition team. “She undertakes a monumental responsibility and will be an important advocate for students and parents throughout the New York City public school system. I look forward to working with Chancellor Fariña to ensure our students realize their individual talents and have every opportunity to succeed. Mayor-Elect de Blasio has made extraordinary appointments and I am confident that Fariña will work tirelessly as the new Chancellor and will serve New York City well.”

Mr. de Blasio called the appointment of Ms. Farina as the schools chancellor one of the most important decisions he had to make as Mayor of New York City.

(Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)