Panel: Deny Bloomberg's pick for schools chief

An advisory panel appointed to weigh the qualifications of Hearst Magazines chairwoman Cathie Black to head New York City schools recommended Tuesday denying a waiver that would allow the noneducator to serve as chancellor of the country's largest school system.

State Education Commissioner David Steiner is not required to follow the panel's advice in deciding whether to grant the waiver, nor is he required to consider public opinion.

"I will weigh their advice and insight as I consider the decision before me," Steiner said in a statement.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg selected Black for the post. A poll released Tuesday shows she is not a popular choice.

During the closed meeting, the panel members had three options on whether to recommend a waiver: yes, no, and "send the waiver request back to the New York City mayor for possible resubmission," said spokesman Tom Dunn.

Four members voted "no," two "yes," and two members urged resubmission, Dunn said.

The Quinnipiac University Poll released Tuesday shows New Yorkers believe by a 2-1 margin that Black is not qualified for the job. The poll found that 51 percent of New York City voters believe Black does not have the right experience to serve as schools chancellor.

Just 26 percent said Black does have the experience for the job, and 23 percent were undecided.

Asked specifically about Black's appointment, 47 percent said they disapproved and 29 percent approved. Twenty-five percent were undecided.

Both foes and supporters of Black's appointment have been lobbying him since Bloomberg announced on Nov. 8 that he had chosen the 66-year-old Black to succeed Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, who is leaving to take a job with News Corp.

Last week, former mayors Ed Koch, David Dinkins and Rudy Giuliani sent Steiner a letter in support of Black.