In this Jan. 3, 2011 photo, Stephanie Forcer teaches her class at P.S. 262 in New York during a tour by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Cathie Black. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Reporting Rich Lamb
NEW YORK (WCBS 880/1010 WINS) – Mayor Michael Bloomberg blasted Governor Andrew Cuomo’s measure emphasizing teacher evaluations that was introduced Tuesday night. The proposal came shortly after the State Senate passed a bill backed by Bloomberg that would reverse a rule protecting veteran city teachers from layoffs regardless of their effectiveness.
Bloomberg called Cuomo’s bill “a sham” that appeared to have been drafted by the Teacher’s Union, WCBS 880′s Rich Lamb reported.
WCBS 880 Reporter Rich Lamb with Mayor Bloomberg who explains his misgivings for Cuomo’s proposal.
Cuomo’s proposed education measure focuses more on teacher evaluation and has little to do with eliminating the so-called last in, first out state law.
Bloomberg said that while he was “glad” that Cuomo was helping to speed up the issue of teacher evaluations, he hoped the governor would make the LIFO bill a priority.
“He still has two days to put the Senate bill in his budget, I think he should and I hope he will,” said Bloomberg. The mayor said anything short of that would harm the students.
“There’s a simple test that we’re going to apply to anything that he does…any proposal, and it is this: does it repeal the Last In, First Out law that would allow the city to layoff teachers based on merit this year?” said Bloomberg.
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has said he would not consider the LIFO bill supported by Bloomberg.
