Parentadvocates has been told that Brooklyn educators knew of former Deputy Chancellor Carmen Farina's involvement in the placement of Lee McCaskill's daughter into PS 29 in Brooklyn, a violation of City laws because McCaskill lived in New Jersey. Mrs. Farina, a former principal of PS 29, then District 15 Superintendent and Region 8 Superintendent before being appointed Deputy Chancellor, found the space for Mr. McCaskill's daughter in her old school to help McCaskill place his daughter in the New York City public school system in spite of the fact that he and his family lived in New Jersey.

Schools investigators ignored complaints about Mr. McCaskill for years, until finally the information about Mrs. Farina's involvement came to the attention of Mr. Condon. Chancellor Joel Klein quickly and quietly sent Mr. McCaskill's wife Cathy Furman McCaskill, a teacher at Boys and Girls HS, to a rubber room where she sits today. Our sources tell us that the UFT, the teacher's union, is concerned, because they have to support her at her grievance hearing for her placement in the rubber room.

School investigators were miffed when Mrs. Farina was allowed by the Chancellor to retire, as there was going to be a report filed against Mrs. Farina. Soon after Mr. McCaskill was permitted by Chancellor Joel Klein to pay the tuition owed for his daughter, Mr. Klein "lifted" the law and gave a 30-day amnesty to any NYC DOE employee who similarly broke the law. Evidently more than 132 teachers, principals and school staff members took advantage of the amnesty. We have not heard that the amnesty was formally ended.

Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein Announces Retirement of Carmen Fariña and Appointment of Andrés Alonso as Deputy Chancellor for Teaching and Learning Date: 04/26/2006
Last Modified: 4/26/2006 2:32:51 PM
Press ID: N-36, 2005-2006

LINK

Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein today announced the retirement of Carmen Fariña, Deputy Chancellor for Teaching and Learning. Andrés Alonso, currently Ms. Fariñas Chief of Staff, will replace her as the Citys top instructional leader on July 1.

Ms. Fariña has served in several capacities during the course of her 40-year career in the New York City public school system. She began as a teacher at P.S. 29 in Cobble Hill and later became a curriculum coordinator in Brooklyns District 15 before being named principal of P.S. 6 on the Upper East Side in 1991. After ten years in that position, Ms. Fariña was selected as Superintendent of District 15. Prior to her appointment as Deputy Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, she served as the Superintendent of Region 8 in Brooklyn.

As Deputy Chancellor, she has played a key role in developing and supporting staff at all levels, from teachers to regional superintendents, and has overseen many of the administrations signature instructional reforms. Recently, she has supervised the initiative to improve middle schools.

At every stage of her career, Ms. Fariña received the highest honors. She was named the citywide Teacher of the Year (the Reliance Award) and also received the Sloan Public Service Award, given to a select number of New York City civil servants deemed to have rendered extraordinary service to the public.

Carmen is a nationally respected and deeply admired educator, Chancellor Klein said. She has been able to combine deep feeling for the humanity of students and educators, rigorous and innovative instructional methods, and a highly disciplined and creative managerial style to achieve tremendous results at every level in the system.

She has inspired generations of students, parents, and colleagues and been instrumental to the success of the Children First reforms. I am sorry to see her go.

I have total respect for New York Citys educational community and the people who support it, Ms. Fariña said. Im happy that I am able to leave the system in such capable hands.

Mr. Alonso brings extensive experience to his new position at the Department of Education. Speaking no English when he arrived in the United States from Cuba with his parents at age 12, Mr. Alonso attended New Jersey public schools before graduating Magna Cum Laude from Columbia University. He went on to earn a J.D. from Harvard Law School and worked at the New York City law firm of Hughes, Hubbard & Reed before changing course to become an educator. From 1987 to 1998, Mr. Alonso taught emotionally disturbed and special education English language learners in Newark, New Jersey, and was also a staff developer, program coordinator, and mentor teacher. He was selected for Harvard Universitys elite Urban Superintendents Program in 1998, where he focused on urban education. Mr. Alonso has completed the requirements for his doctoral degree in educational administration, which will formally be awarded to him this June. He has been at the Department of Education since 2003, working closely with the chancellor on key initiatives ranging from the restructuring of the system to accountability and empowerment.

Andrés is a brilliant educator and, during the past three years, he has played a key role in implementing many of our Children First reforms, Chancellor Klein said. He is enormously talented and I am overjoyed that he is taking on this new responsibility on behalf of the children of New York.

I am excited and honored to have this opportunity, Mr. Alonso said. I look forward to building on the work I have been doing for the past two decades: to help all children receive the education they deserve and that they need to succeed.

Additionally, Chancellor Klein today announced the retirement of Laura Kotch, Executive Director for Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development. Ms. Kotch will also retire at the end of the school year. A longtime colleague of Ms. Fariña, Ms. Kotch was the Deputy Regional Superintendent in Region 8 under Ms. Fariña, as well as the Deputy Superintendent in District 15. She is a noted expert in professional development.

Carmen and Laura are institutions in the New York City public school system, Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein said. Their contribution to children has been immeasurable.

Contact: David M. Cantor / Kelly Devers (212) 374-5141

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