By Jill Colvin
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
CITY HALL — Dennis Walcott began his first day as incoming schools chancellor walking his grandson to school. Then, he headed to the City Council to spar over the city's education problems and policy.
Walcott was tapped to be the next chancellor of the public school system after his embattled predecessor, former magazine editor Cathie Black, was forced out. The rollout for Walcott on his first day was far different from Black, who was largely kept away from the press and never testified before the City Council.
He got the day started by taking his 7-year-old grandson, Justin, to school for a photo-op at his alma-mater, P.S. 36 in Queens. He later joked with Mayor Michael Bloomberg during an appearance on the John Gambling radio show that he’d been especially careful to heed the sound of the morning bell.
"I can see the headlines now: 'Chancellor-to-be’s Grandson Late Because he is Late.' No, not going to happen!" he assured his boss.
Walcott then spent the afternoon pushing the city’s long-standing education policies and testifying on behalf of the Department of Education at a City Council hearing examining the impact of planned budget cuts.
"I believe in what we’re doing," Walcott told the Council. "The reforms that have been taking place over the last nine years will continue under the remainder of this administration."
Walcott was welcomed by the City Council with equal doses of praise, skepticism and concern.
The incoming chancellor described the budget situation facing schools as grim. Just like the mayor, Walcott blamed cuts in federal and state funding as well as state mandates forcing the city to spend money it doesn’t have.
He held little hope the city would find a way to avoid eliminating more than 6,000 teaching positions. He said class sizes are expected to swell by up to one and a half students per class, and pink slips are scheduled to be delivered to teachers in the coming weeks.
But Council members questioned whether the layoffs are really necessary and said the department’s priorities are off.
"Rather than cutting spending on consultants and private contractors, they chose to cut schools," complained Upper Manhattan City Councilman Robert Jackson, chair of the education committee.
Other members praised Walcott on his educational experience, something Black lacked. Still, the city sent a letter to the state Thursday requesting that Walcott be granted a waiver so that he can formally take the job because he lacks the requisite credentials, a spokeswoman said.
"You are obviously much more knowledgeable than your predecessor," said Brooklyn Councilwoman Letitia James.
James also praised Walcott for his more open and accessible style, but was disappointed to learn that he fully endorsed the mayor's unpopular education agenda.
"Not much is going to change in the city of New York," she lamented.
