Charter school owner Moskowitz, Gov Cuomo battle de Blasio on free space for charters.

Eva Moskowitz has been moving her charter schools, Success Academies, into public school buildings at no cost to her. She has been pretty much taking over the space she wanted, and pushing the public school students and teachers aside.

Mayor de Blasio is taking steps against this, and she is even considering a lawsuit against him. With Cuomo beside her she is getting great support in the media.

De Blasio and Operator of Charter School Empire Do Battle


Eva S. Moskowitz, left, founder of Success Academy Charter Schools, led a rally Tuesday in Albany, while Mayor Bill de Blasio, who differs with her, led a separate demonstration. Credit Nathaniel Brooks for The New York Times

She was a darling of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s administration, given free space to expand her charter schools from a single one in Harlem into a network larger than many New York State school districts. Along the way, her Success Academy empire became a beacon of the country’s charter school movement, its seats coveted by thousands of families as chronicled in the film “Waiting for ‘Superman.’ ”

But eight years into her crusade, Eva S. Moskowitz is locked in combat with a new mayor, Bill de Blasio, who repeatedly singled her out on the campaign trail as the embodiment of what he saw was wrong in schooling, and who last week followed his word with deed, canceling plans for three of her schools in New York City while leaving virtually all other charter proposals untouched.

....Most dramatically, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo lent his backing to the charter school rally, standing before cheering crowds outside the State Capitol and saying he would defend charter schools, praising Ms. Moskowitz and implicitly attacking the mayor. “We are here today to tell you that we stand with you,” Mr. Cuomo said. “You are not alone. We will save charter schools.”

de Blasio cancelled 3 of her schools while allowing 5 others to go ahead. The reason? Not one you will hear in the propaganda being spouted.

The mayor’s office noted that while it canceled plans for three Success charter schools last week, it allowed five more to open as planned. It said that it withdrew space from the three not out of animus toward Ms. Moskowitz, but because those schools would have placed elementary school students with high school students or cut programs for students with disabilities.

Moskowitz will keep fighting with the governor by her side for this issue which greatly affects the public school spaces which she takes over. She often gets the choice parts of the building and the public school students are pushed aside.

Moskowitz is on a warpath against de Blasio, exploring all options — including a lawsuit — to keep open three Success Academy schools that serve nearly 200 Harlem kids.


Alfred Giancarli for New York Daily News

Eva Moskowitz will continue to fight for her Success Academy network — even if it means taking the mayor to court.

Embattled education crusader Eva Moskowitz vowed Thursday to do whatever it takes to salvage the education of nearly 200 Harlem kids whose high-performing charter school was booted from public space by Mayor de Blasio.

De Blasio revoked the city’s offer of free classrooms for Success Academy Harlem Central Middle School last week, arguing it would displace crucial programs for disabled students.

Gov. Cuomo, speaking Thursday on public radio’s “The Capitol Pressroom,” said he was seeking a “legislative fix” to the thorny issue of co-locations. He wouldn’t say if that means more money in the budget for charters.

Cuomo suggested it may be necessary to make a “technical” change to the state law that gives the mayor control of the city’s schools in order to provide protection to charter schools.

[1]Tim Roske/AP
Gov. Cuomo said he is working on a 'legislative fix' to help charter schools.

Mayoral control has been supported by education reformers for ages. Arne supports it, Rahm supports it....now Cuomo will try to change the policy because the new mayor isn't going to give Eva Moskowitz free rein.

More on Moskowitz.