New York State Board of Regents

The State Education Department

The University of the State of New York / Albany, NY 12234

Office of Communications / (518) 474-1201

NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 12, 2011

For More Information, Contact:

Tom Dunn, Jane Briggs or Jonathan Burman
(518) 474-1201 Web: www.nysed.gov

COMMISSIONER STEINER APPOINTS ADVISORY SCREENING PANEL

TO CONDUCT REVIEW PROCESS;
PANEL TO MEET WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13

State Education Commissioner David M. Steiner has received a request from Mayor
Bloomberg seeking a waiver for Dennis M. Walcott to serve as New York City’s Schools
Chancellor and has begun the process of reviewing and evaluating that request.

Education Law §3003(3) provides that the Commissioner may grant an exception or
waiver to the precise preparation and experience required by law for a superintendent’s
certificate. Specifically, the Commissioner is empowered to grant a waiver to an
"exceptionally qualified" candidate who does not meet all the graduate course or
teaching requirements in law if he finds that the candidate has "exceptional training and
experience" which are the "substantial equivalent" of such requirements.

The process for review and consideration of a waiver request is outlined in the
Commissioner’s regulations (8 NYCRR §80-3.10[b][3][iii]). Commissioner Steiner will
follow the process outlined in those regulations as was done with prior requests.

Specifically, following well established precedent, the Commissioner will convene an

advisory screening panel consisting of representatives of the State Education
Department and appropriate educational organizations for review and advice. The panel
will meet in Albany on Wednesday, April 13 at 1:00 p.m. in the Regents Room of the
Education Building. The members of the screening panel are listed below.

The panel will receive the application and supporting documentation provided by the
Mayor’s office for its review and consideration. The Commissioner will give guidance to
the panel about the questions it should consider in reviewing the application and
materials.
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The Commissioner will carefully review and consider the advice he receives from the
panel. He will then apply the law to the facts presented and render a decision on the
waiver request.

The request for a waiver of specified training and experience is part of a credentialing
process. That process comprises an objective review of education, training, and
experience to determine if an applicant possesses the knowledge, skills, and
experience that qualify him or her to perform the functions authorized by the credential.

Nothing in the law or regulation prescribes a time frame for this process. However, the
Commissioner is mindful of the need for prompt action.

Screening Panel
James N. Baldwin
Dr. Baldwin is Chief of Staff and Interim Deputy Commissioner for Higher Education in
the New York State Education Department.

Rebecca Cort
Dr. Cort serves as Associate Commissioner for Special Education in the New York
State Education Department.

David Lavallee
Dr. Lavallee currently serves as Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for the
State University of New York system.

Susan D. Phillips
Dr. Phillips currently serves as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs for
the University at Albany, State University of New York.

Oliver Robinson
Dr. Robinson is Superintendent of the Shenendehowa Central School District in
Saratoga County, New York.

Deborah A. Shanley
Dr. Shanley is Dean of the School of Education At Brooklyn College.

Marilyn Terranova
Dr. Marilyn C. Terranova is the Superintendent of Schools of the Eastchester Union
Free School District in Westchester County, New York.

Mark Vivacqua
Mr. Vivacqua is the District Superintendent of the Herkimer, Fulton, Hamilton, Otsego
Counties BOCES.

Janice White
Dr. White is the Superintendent of the Saratoga Springs School District in Saratoga
County, New York.
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Attached you will find application materials submitted by Mayor Bloomberg in support of
Dennis Walcott.
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