By Jill Colvin
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott has been granted a waiver to become the city’s next schools chancellor.
State Education Commissioner David Steiner made the official decision Thursday, a day after an advisory panel unanimously backed the request.
"The depth and breadth of Mr. Walcott’s knowledge about the educational issues confronting New York City’s public schools is beyond question," wrote Steiner in the 12-page decision, describing Walcott's resume "as one of extraordinary accomplishment" that "demonstrates strong evidence of outstanding managerial skills."
Like former Schools Chancellor Cathie Black, who was forced to resign last week after a tumultuous three-month term, Walcott needed a waiver because of a state law that requires all school chancellors to be certified as superintendents.
Unlike Black, Walcott has years of schools experience as a Master’s degree in the field and formerly served as deputy mayor for education and community development.
In his letter requesting the waiver dated April 7, Bloomberg described Walcott as "exceptionally qualified" for the job.
"Dennis Walcott has been working his entire life to help New York City's school children, and I am confident that experience will help him build on the successful reform efforts of the past nine years and improve our classrooms for the generations to come," Bloomberg said in a statement praising Steiner's decision.
