By Jennifer Glickel
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Cathie Black, Mayor Michael Bloomberg's choice for city schools chancellor, defended her experience and readiness to take on the position to NY1 after meeting with Education Department officials on Tuesday.
Black rebuffed criticism that she is unqualified to be an effective leader, citing her history as a successful publishing executive despite her lack of educational experience.
"The mayor's been very clear that he really wanted a strong, effective manager, and I have almost 40 years of experience at that," she told the news station.
She took a firm position, saying that attempts to block her appointment would be futile.
"I will be the next chancellor," she said.
Outgoing chancellor Joel Klein supported Mayor Bloomberg's choice of Black.
"Leadership and management really matter, and I think the idea that people would look at this and not realize that you’re managing a huge complex organization, something that she brings a lot of talent to," Klein told NY1.
Because Black does not have any education experience, she needs a special waiver from the New York State Department of Education commissioner David Steiner in order for her appointment to be approved.
Steiner said on Tuesday that he would accept Mayor Bloomberg's direct request for a waiver, according to NY1. It was not clear, however, when the commissioner will grant the waiver.
