I just learned within the past hour that Joel Klein has resigned and is being replaced by Cathy Black.  Obviously this is a great loss – but perhaps an opportunity as well.  Lots more commentary to come in future emails…

 

November 9, 2010, 3:43 pm

Hearst Official to Replace Klein at Helm of City Schools

By THE NEW YORK TIMES

Piotr Redlinski for The New York Times Cathleen Black in June 2009.

Joel I. Klein, the New York City schools chancellor, is resigning and leaving city government and will be replaced by Cathleen P. Black, the former publisher of USA Today and chairwoman of Hearst Magazines, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Klein, in turn, will become an executive vice president of the News Corporation.

The mayor called Ms. Black "a superstar manager" and added, "There's no one who knows more about the skills our children will need to succeed in the 21st century economy."

The mayor lauded Mr. Klein, whom he appointed in 2002 after gaining control of the city's schools, for taking a "dysfunctional" system and turning it into "one that the Obama administration has hailed as a national model."

"He leaves a legacy of achievement that makes him one of the most important and transformational educational leaders of our time," Mr. Bloomberg said.

"Joel has implemented innovative changes that have made an enormous difference in the lives of millions of children."

Mr. Klein will stay on until around the end of the year to ease the transition, Mr. Bloomberg said. Mr. Klein said his job at News Corporation would be to develop "strategy to put them in the education marketplace."

Ms. Black, 66, said she was "very excited about this incredible opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our young people."

"Joel brought incredible commitment and energy to this position," she said. "His shoes are very big ones to fill."

For his part, Mr. Klein said, "There are things we could have done better and smarter," but added, "I look back with enormous pride on the work that we did do."