Could New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have recovered from last week’s chancellor search disappointment in a matter of days?
It seems likely, according to a press advisory that City Hall sent to journalists at 12:34 p.m. today. “On Monday, Mayor de Blasio and First Lady McCray will make a personnel announcement,” the advisory reads. “This event is open press. There will be Q-and-A.”
We immediately asked for details. The response that came from a City Hall spokeswoman, Olivia Lapeyrolerie: “It’ll be big and Chalkbeat should be there.”
The event suggests that de Blasio could be unveiling his next choice for schools chancellor, just days after Miami superintendent Alberto Carvalho publicly turned down the job during a marathon, emotional live TV broadcast.
Exactly who might have been waiting in the wings, and whether that person will be an interim or permanent choice, is unclear. (An education insider told Chalkbeat that an interim appointment could be more likely.)
But the fact that de Blasio’s wife, Chirlane McCray, will be on hand for the announcement suggests that City Hall views the announcement as significant. She was reportedly involved in selecting Carvalho.
Of course, there’s a chance that this isn’t the news the entire city is waiting for. It could be an update on outgoing chancellor Carmen Fariña’s tenure, or news about who will replace Richard Buery, the deputy mayor who orchestrated the city’s prekindergarten expansion and se move to the charter school network KIPP was reported Monday.
Whatever the news is, de Blasio has a plan to keep talking about it: He’s also planning to make an appearance tonight on NY1’s “Inside City Hall,” according to the City Hall advisory.