Statement Of Marilyn Terranova, Chair Of Screening Panel On Waiver Request For Dennis M. Walcott

Dr. Marilyn Terranova – Chair of the Panel convened by Education Commissioner David Steiner to review and evaluate the request from Mayor Bloomberg seeking a waiver for Dennis M. Walcott to serve as New York City’s Schools Chancellor – has issued the following statement:

“State law provides that the Education 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 if he finds that the candidate has ‘exceptional training and experience’ which are the ‘substantial equivalent’ of such requirements. The Panel met earlier today to consider Mayor Bloomberg’s request for a waiver for Dennis Walcott to serve as New York City’s Schools Chancellor. Upon careful review of Mr. Walcott’s credentials, the Panel voted unanimously to recommend to Commissioner Steiner that he grant a waiver – it was clear to the entire Panel that Mr. Walcott is, in fact, exceptionally qualified for the position.”

Screening Panel

Marilyn Terranova, Chair

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

Fadhilika Atiba-Weza

Dr. Atiba-Weza is Superintendent of the Enlarged City School District of Troy in Rensselaer County, New York.

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.

Frank Muñoz

Mr. Muñoz, an attorney, is the former Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Professions in the New York State Education Department.

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.

Deborah A. Shanley

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

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.