N.Y. Education Czar Could Reject Bloomberg's Choice of Cathleen Black as Schools Chief

In a rebuke to Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York State's education commissioner announced Tuesday that he would reject the appointment of Cathleen Black to be chancellor of New York City schools unless she is teamed with someone who has background in education.

Commissioner David Steiner has repeatedly expressed concerns about the qualifications of Black, a long-time publishing executive and the current chair of Hearst Magazines.

Steiner's announcement came as an advisory panel he appointed voted to deny Black an exemption from state law requiring certain educational credentials, The New York Times reported.

Since he appointed Black two weeks ago, Bloomberg has been her biggest supporter, working to line up political and corporate allies to plead her case. The mayor hopes Black will help guide his main policy goal of turning around the New York City's struggling schools.

Steiner said he would only support Black if Bloomberg agrees to appoint a second-in-command to Black, who will oversee teaching, learning and accountability, the Times said.

The mayor's office did not immediately comment Tuesday.