By Della Hasselle
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Although she may not have much experience in education, Cathie Black's launch of O, The Oprah Magazine, and her numerous other business accomplishments qualify her to be schools chancellor, the mayor argued Wednesday in a letter sent to the State's Education Department.
Black, 66, has been under fire from several city officials who say that the Hearst chairman should not receive the state waiver she needs to get the job because of her lack of education experience.
But Bloomberg has argued that that the school system did not need any more "pedagogical experts."
"The New York City Schools Chancellor, as chief executive officer of the school system, must manage a $23 billion budget and a workforce of 135,000 people, solve complex problems in the face of controversy, motivate staff, communicate with and bring together diverse constituents," Bloomberg wrote in the six-page letter.
"Ms. Black's broad range of experience and success in business, as well as her demonstrated intelligence, integrity, versatility, leadership and management skills, and unwavering commitment to achieving excellence, amply qualify her to be Chancellor of the New York City schools."
Citing problems that require "innovative solutions," Bloomberg said Black's experience at Hearst with digital media equipped her with the expertise to expand Department of Education technology, including bolstering the student data reporting system.
"Ms. Black is widely known as a visionary," Bloomberg wrote. "She has the knowledge and experience to make data-driven experiences."
Bloomberg also argued that Black's experience as Trustee of the University of Notre Dame, where she serves on the Public Affairs and Communications Committee, affords her the experience necessary to be a "mentor to school leadership."
But Bloomberg wasn't the only billionaire lending his name to Black's candidacy. Oprah Winfrey also spoke out in favor of the publishing powerhouse who, she said, conviced her to start her self-titled "O Magazine," the New York Daily News reported.
"She's tough as nails and accustomed to handling multiple complexities with focus, strategic planning and expert leadership," Winfrey told the paper. "She will be a tremendous champion for the children of New York and will do it with grace."
Former Mayors Rudy Giuliani, Ed Koch and David Dinkins also backed Black, sending a letter of support to the State Education Department, according to NY1.
Still, outraged critics, including a group of thirteen City Councilmemebers who gathered outside City Hall on Wednesday, continued to fight Black's appointment, calling on the Education Department to deny Bloomberg's request for a waiver, the news station reported.
"In order to teach in the schools you need to have a master's degree," Councilman Mark Weprin reportedly told the press. "Cathie Black couldn't teach in our schools, now she wants to run the system?"
The United Federation of Teachers also criticized the mayor's choice this week, passing a resolution to require a nationwide search for future schools chancellor appointments, according to a copy of the letter obtained by NY1's State of Politics blog.
