THE City oF New YorK OFFICE oF THE MAYOR New Yorn, NY. 10007 November 17, 2010 ‘The Honorable David M. Steiner Commissioner of Education New York State Education Department Room 111 89 Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12234 Dear Commissioner Steiner: As you know. a top priority of our administration has been and continues to be ensuring that every child in New York City receives a high quality education and that every child is prepared 10 sueceed in the 21* century by attending college or securing a job following graduation. Under the leadership of Joe! Klein, we have made tremendous strides in transforming a system in desperate need of repair into one that truly puts children first. Now that Chancellor Klein's tenure is nearing its end, is critical that we appoint a dynamic new leader as Chancellor, one who possesses the talent and skills requited to build on our aecomplishments and continue to improve our schoo! system. I believe that Cathleen Black is the best person to meet this challenge and to provide the leadership our school system needs to carry out our reforms. Accordingly, [write fo request a Schoo! District Leader centificate for Ms. Black to serve as ‘Chancellor ofthe New York City Public Schools. State Education Law section 3003(3) and 8 NYCRR Pan 80-3.10(bX3)ill) authorize the Commissioner of Education to grant a School District Leader certificate to exceptionally qualified candidates who do not meet certain educational and training requirements, bu “whose exceptional taining and experience are the substantial equivalent of such requirements and qualify such persons forthe duties of a superintendent of schools." I respectfully ‘request that you grant this certificate to Ms, Black. The New York City Schools Chancellor. as chief executive olficer of the schoo! system, must ‘manage s $23 billion budget and a workforce of 135,000 people, solve complex problems in the face cof controversy, motivate staff, communicate with and bring together diverse constituents, manage labor relations, use data in decision making, and create and sustain a culture of change and excellence. As detailed below, Ms. Black's broad range of experience and success in business, as well as her ‘demonstrated intelligence, integrity, versatility, leadership and management skills, and unwavering commitment achieving excellence, amply qualify her to be Chancellor ofthe New York City schools.Serving as Chancellor of the New York City schools requires the skills to address complex problems and new challenges with energy, creativity. and innovative solutions —and to build support among constituents for those solutions. Throughout her career, Ms. Black has worked to build strong. relationships with colleagues and subordinates, to motivate them to succeed and hold them accountable, and to provide support and expertise where necessary. In addition, as a leader in the field ‘of publishing, Ms. Black has deep experience seeking out the opinions of customers. and incorporating their thoughts and ideas inte the organization’ work. She is fully committed te conducting extensive outreach to students, parents, teachers, principals, administrators. and community groups, making them ‘ital partners in our reform efforts ‘The challenging issues facing the New York City schools demand a bold thinker who is not aad to champion new ideas. Ms. Black is widely recognized asa visionary, At Hearst, Ms, Black ‘was responsible fr putting the company atthe freont of digital expansion by stating a digital me unit dedicated o creating and implementing online and mobile strategies. The digital unit has lunched or acquired 24 websites and 10 mobile platforms. Under het leadership, the company aso developed digital editions as well as iPhone and iPad applications for many ofits brands. Ms. Black will bring the same forward-thinking vision to our School system to ensure that our students are technologically advanced and abe to succeed in the 20 century. She has the knowledge and experince to make data-driven decisions and to expand important Department of Education technology iiatves designed to enhance accountability and wack and improve student performance, such asthe Special E:lucation Student Information System (online management sytem for special cciuation data and documents). Achievement Reporting and Innovation System (student performance and accountability data system), and iLearmNYC (on-line learning management system). ‘The City's next schools chancellor will inherit an organization that has an impressive track record of success, yeti sil far trom satisfied with the tats quo. As President and then Chairman of the iconic Hearst Magazines during atime af peat change inthe media world, Ms. Black spearheuled. Jnmovative strategies that produced record-breaking yeas for Hearst. Leading a team in producing 14 US titles and nearly 200 international editions in more than 100 counties. she was responsible for the management of eorporate, personnel and financial matters for Hearst magazines. Under her leadership, Hearst's portfolio expanded to inelude the launch of O, The Oprah Magazine. widely eparded asthe most suecessfal magazine launch in US. history, and most recently, the launch of Food Nenwork “Magazine, which has already soared 1 a circulation of 14 million. Otber magazines unde her purview include Popular Mechanics. Good Housekeeping Redbook, Harper Bazaar, County Living House Becuifi, Seventeen, MarieClaire, Town & Coury, Cosmopolitan, Veranda, and Esquire. Ms, Black will bing the same trelss effort and commitment to innovation tha are necessary 10 take ‘our schools to the next level Ms. Black has always been a trailblazer. She began her career in advertising sales, first at Holiday Magazine and then at Ms: Magazine in 1972. At Ms: Magazine she successfully overcame the Inardles of marketing @ magazine about the impact and importance of changing expectations and livescof women, In 1979, Ms. Black broke new ground, becoming the first female publisher ofa weekly consumer magazine, New York. In October 1983, as President and Publisher of USA Today. and Executive Vice President of Gannett, the parent company, Ms. Black was a major foree im the success of USA Today. a newspaper that was innovative in its use of digital satellite technology and four-color reproduction, US4 Today quickly became the No. 1 newspaper inthe country. In the face of wide- spread industry skepticism, particularly fiom the advertising community, Ms, Black helped turn a bold idea into an enduring cuccers in American publishing ‘With difficult budget times conironting the Department of Education, we will need a leader with the skills and experience to make tough decisions and to deploy limited resources in ways that ensure the maximum possible benefit for our children. At Hearst, Ms, Black oversaw reductions in {oree. reorganizations, and closure of unprofitable magazines in order to preserve the financial stability of the compuny while atthe same time driving the company 10 new heights. Her aceomplishments are testament to Ms. Black's ability to expertly manage and allocate resources during both flush and difficult financial times. Given the City's current fiscal situation, Ms. Black is exceptionally qualified ‘o make the difficult financial decisions that will be required to ensure that all of our students re’ high quality education even as the Department of Education is facing significant budget cuts. A schools Chancellor also must confront legal and contractual challenges. As the CEO of a ‘major organization, Ms. Black has extensive experience in complex legal matters requiring knowledge ‘of state and federal laws and regulations. At Hearst, she has dealt with a range of intellectual property ‘copyright, trademark and lel, and has worked on legislative initiatives relating to privacy, data security and shield laws. Having managed reductions in force and other terminations, she is well-versed in employment diserimination laws, She was also directly involved in negotiating ‘employment contracts for senior executives, and has dealt with various commercial disputes and anti= trust issues, Ms, Black also has extensive personal experience in the art of negotiation and ‘compromise. In 1991, following seven-plus years at USA Today, Ms. Black was hired tobe the president of the American Newspaper Publishers Association (ANP), the major publishing trade association representing the North American newspaper industry. As president she merged two formerly duplicative trade associations, the ANPA and the Newspaper Advertising Bureau, into a new association, the Newspaper Association of America (NAA). Convincing newspaper owners, CEOs, and publishers to join the association required skill in negotiation, and involved compromise and accommodation. By bringing together diverse constituencies, she created a more streamlined and effective organization that was responsive to the nceds ofthe industry and provided a platform for public policy discussion and industry lobbying elfonts. ‘As New York City continues moving forward withthe largest school capital plan in its history Ms. Black brings extensive experience developing facilities and making capital improvements. As & longtime truste ofthe University of Notre Dame, she has been involved in development and facilites issues during a period of unprecedented growth, including campus-wide renovations and improvements, and new construction projects. While at Hearst, Ms. Black was an active and engaged a‘member ofthe six-person Hearst team tha selected the architect and oversaw the constrction of the 46-story Hearst Tower that was erected near Columbus Circle, completed in 2006, The Hearst Tower, ‘which was the first skyscraper to break ground in New Vork City after September 11, 2001, has garnered world-wide acclaim and awards, and was New York City’s first occupied Gold LEED (the standard for green building design) certified skyscraper. Ina school system with [200 buildings and growing facilities needs, she will dedicate herself to overseeing repair and expansion elfors in order to ‘eet the needs of our otudents and staf, Long recognized as an influential business leader. Ms. Black has served with distinetion on the boards of IBM, the United Way and the Coca-Cola Company, and was chairman of the Magazine Publishers of America. Asa Board member of IBM, Ms, Black chaieed the Corporate Governance ‘Committe, where she was involved in numerous issues of public policy on a global sale, including, \workforce diversity, emerging issues in growth markets, and environmental and community suppor. fn addition, she made recommendations regarding legislative developments affecting the company. She is also a Board member ofthe Advertising Couneil and a member of Council on Foreign Relations. Earlier on, she was on the Board of United Way during atime of great turmoil. She chaired a ‘committee focused on governance changes, and grappled with the oversight issues inherent in coordinating the efforts ofa large national organization with many focal chapters. Her efforts resulted ina much more wansparent and accountable organization In addition to her corporate experience, Ms. Black has experience in education. Asa Trustee at the University of Notre Dame, she has been involved in educational issues impacting the university, and in approving curriculum changes and high level institutional appointments. She serves on the Board's University Relations and Public Affairs and Communications Committee, and is involved in public affairs, including community outreach and governmental relations, At the Harlem Village ‘Academies Charter School, where she serves on the Advisory Council she has been a mentor to schoo! leadership. She also serves as a Trustee ofthe Kent School, « 500 student boarding school in Ken, Connecticut. From 1983 to 1989, Ms. Black served on the Board of Trustees of Trinity University. here she played a central role in focusing the Board's thinking about change and growth during a ritical period of transformation, She also chaired both a Presidential search committee and a ‘committee on restructuring, which undertook the considerable task of developing a series of recommendations for reorganizing Trinity's business model, academic programs and delivery systems. In addition, she partnered with several other board members in examining the women’s college identity of Trinity, and exploring options for change. The board chose o sustain Trinity's Focus on women’s education while also expanding programs a night and on weekends to serve ‘working adults, a model that led the way for many other adult education programs at other colleges and universities, Ms. Black also bas lectured at numerous colleges and universities across the nation, including the Yale School of Management, New York University, and the Medill School of Journal at Nonthwestern University, speaking on sueh topies as jourmslism careers and the advancement of ‘women in the workplace.Im addition to her work in the field of education, Ms. Black has demonstrated dedication tothe public and non-profit arena. For instance, she served on the host committee forthe 2010 National Conference on Volunteering and Servic. the world’s largest gathering of service and volunteer leaders. In recognition of her accomplishments a an innovative leader, Ms. Black served on “The ‘New York Forum,” which brought together business leaders, poliey makers and Nobel prize-winning «economists to develop new business models in light of changing global maskets and technology. Last ‘pring, Me, Black traveled to Detroit with First Lady Michelle Obama az part ofthe White Hours" ‘rogram to promote youth leadership and mentoring. Ms. Black is prominent participant in The Gilow Project philanthropic and documentary film project aimed at empowering women and helping them ‘overcome seemingly insurmountable goals. She has worked wit the Literacy Partners and the ‘American Legacy Foundation in designing a public service campaign to encourage women to quit smoking. In 2009, the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans presented its New Orleans Citizenship Award to Ms. Black for her leadership in donating time, resources, and volunteers to help [New Orleans recover and rebuild inthe aftermath of hurricane Katrina. She alsa is a member af the Council on Foreign Relations, These accomplishments demonstrate Ms. Black's commitment to ‘making community outreach, engagement, and volunteerism a vital part ofthe educational mission. ‘Ms. Black is the reefpient of numerous awards, exemplifying her commitment to achieving excellence, These awards include a Lifetime Achievement Award (The Henry Johnson Fisher Award) from the Magazine Publishers of America and the American Society of Magazine Editors, the Freedom, Forum Person ofthe Year Award for outstanding accomplishments as a trailblaze entrepreneur and champion of fee press and speech, and the NOW Leval Defense and Education Fund ‘Award, She was named Corporate Publisher ofthe Yeat by The Delaney Report and Publishing Executive ofthe Year by Advertising Age, and reccived the Mustang Award for outstanding media leaders from the Media Industry Newsleter innovator, Ms. Black isthe author ofa best selling book, Basic Black: The Essential Guide for Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life, which addresses issues of aspiration, resilience, change and re-invention, She has also been included on Fortune magazine's “50 Most Powerful Women in Business” list ev year from 1998-2009, Crain's New York Business list of “100 Most Influential Women in Busines the New York Post's lst of" New York's 50 Most Powerful Women,” and Forbes Magazine s list of “The 100 Most Powerful Women.” Ms. Black holds Bachelor of Arts in English from Trinity College (now Trinity University) in ‘Washington, D.C., and served on the Trinity Board of Trustees from 1983-1989. She also has been awarded honorary degrees from several colleges and universities, including Loyola University-New Orleans (Doctor of Humane Letters), Hamilton College (Doctor of Laws), Ithaca College (Dactor of Humane Letters), Trinity College (Doctor of Laws), Saint Mary's College-Notre Dame (Doctor of Letters), and Lehigh University (Doctor of Humane Letters).Throughout her carcer and in each of her endeavors, Ms. Black has recognized the importance of diversity in education and in the workplace. As a Board member at Notre Dame. she has been ‘engaged in a variety of initiatives designed to recruit a diverse student body. At IBM, she was involved in workforce diversity issues. At Hearst she implemented recruitment strategies designed to promote diversity including establishing a summer internship program for college students that attracts ‘more than 200 students each year, and developing an intemal mentoring program. As Chancellor, Ms. Black will bring her strong commitment and expertise to expand opportunities in our multi-cultural school system. In light of these extraordinary skills and accomplishments, I asked Cathie to give up her eareer in the private sector to serve as Chancellor ofthe New York City Publie Schools. During the last eight years our school system has made unprecedented progress. Now, our school system demands an innovative leader with a proven track record of success who can immediately step in, consolidate our agains, and aggressively continue our reform efforts by effectively working together with students, teachers, administrators, parents, and community groups. I have the utmost confidence that Cathie Black is that leader. As a world-recognized business leader and trustee of one of America’s greatest universities, Ms. Black hus first-hand knowledge of the demands and challenges of today”s workplace and the skills necessary for our students to succeed both in college and the job market Ms. Black is eager to embark on the next phase of her career by devoting all of her energy and talent to ensuring that our school system provides a top quality education forall children that meets rigorous state standards for college readiness. Her preparation and four decades of work experience, as \well as her accomplishments inthe business and non-profit arenas, are substantially equivalent to the certification requirements set forth in law, and make her exceptionally well-qualified for and prepared to assume the duties of Chancellor ofthe New York school system. ' ‘Thank you for your consideration Sincerely Michael R. Bloomberg Mayor "Ms. Blick is aware of he equieent fr chit buse and school voles prevention taining, and wl compete that cousewark expedition