ALBANY — Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie flunked Gov. Cuomo’s education reforms Thursday, especially the plan to have the state takeover failing schools.
Heastie (D-Bronx), in his strongest comments yet about Cuomo’s proposals, said struggling schools need additional resources — not a state takeover.
“Just blaming teachers and saying you want to close schools and open charter schools is not the right way to go,” Heastie told reporters.
Heastie’s comments showed that Cuomo’s education proposals remain a huge sticking point in negotiations over a new state budget. Lawmakers and Cuomo have until March 31 to adopt a new spending plan for the coming fiscal year.
Assembly Democrats on Wednesday spent hours in a closed-door conference railing against several key elements of Cuomo’s education plan, including proposals to beef up teacher evaluations and to take over failing schools.
“I think it is clear that there is a lot of support for giving schools the support they need, as opposed to punishing schools,” said Assembly Education Committee Chairwoman Cathy Nolan (D-Queens).
Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi defended the governor’s school takeover plan.
“The governor is advancing a proven receivership model that has been successful in turning around failing schools in Massachusetts,” Azzopardi said.
The GOP-controlled state Senate appears more supportive of Cuomo’s education proposals.
“Basically, we believe the governor is moving in the right direction,” said Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Nassau County).
