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Schools Chancellor Appointee Black Faces Opposition

NEW YORK (1010 WINS/CBS 2/WCBS 880) -- Protesters gathered outside City Hall on Thursday to let Mayor Michael Bloomberg know they are against the appointment of Cathie Black as the new New York City Schools Chancellor.

City Councilmember Charles Barron led the protest and told 1010 WINS reporter Stan Brooks that he will work to block the confirmation.

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Barron tells Brooks why he is opposed to the school pick

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WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reports

If Black gets through the City Council hearings, she will take over in December.

From the very beginning of his mayoralty, Bloomberg and outgoing Chancellor Joel Klein have been partners in revamping education in New York City. They ended social promotion, increased graduation rates, and raised math and reading scores. But after almost nine years at the helm, Klein was ready for a change. The mayor obliged but his choice was somewhat unorthodox.

Black, a magazine and newspaper magnate, chaired Hearst magazines and created USA Today. Earlier this week Bloomberg said he couldn't have made a better choice.

"She is brilliant. She is innovative. She is driven. And she is just as passionate about helping children succeed as I am," Bloomberg said.

Black said she has four goals, including making sure kids become tech savvy and forging partnerships with businesses, universities and non profits to create jobs for graduates.

"I promise you that we will continue the mission of improving the school experience for our students, so that they, too, will be prepared to participate fully in global community," Black said.

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