Dear Commons Colleagues,

Here is a brief blurb on the announcement that Cathie Black has been asked to leave her position  as the NYC schools chancellor.

Tony

Cathleen P. Black, a magazine executive with no educational experience who was named as New York City schools chancellor last fall, will step down Thursday morning at the mayor’s urging, city officials said, after a tumultuous and brief tenure.  Ms. Black’s departure, which comes on the heels of the departures of several other high-ranking education officials, was nearly as surprising as her appointment.

Ms. Black will be replaced by Deputy Mayor Dennis M. Walcott, who has long aided the mayor in educational matters, officials said.   Mr. Walcott is to appear with Mr. Bloomberg at an 11:30 a.m. City Hall news conference to announce the change. Ms. Black will not be in attendance, according to a person briefed on the plans. The mayor’s office declined to comment.