More Departures Likely At DOE, Insiders Say

By: Lindsey Christ

The mood among many at Tweed Courthouse is said to be confused, even demoralized after this week's announcement that Schools Chancellor Joel Klein is stepping down.
And now, a new problem may be brewing if key members of Klein's team decide they don't want to work for incoming Chancellor Cathie Black.
Klein shocked his deputies with his resignation Tuesday and the mayor surprised them again by announcing a businesswoman will take over the system. She agreed with the mayor that the strong team would make up for her lack of public policy and educational experience.
"Well I think with the help of the eight deputies in the office, we will spend a good amount of time prepping me and making sure I understand the issues thoroughly," Black said.
But within a day, one of those eight had already left. Deputy Chancellor for Finance and Technology Photeine Anagnostopoulos, known as Photo, was in charge of the $23 billion budget. She resigned, effective immediately. And multiple sources within the department say they don't expect she'll be the last to leave.
They describe the atmosphere in department headquarters as traumatic, confusing and uncomfortable. Many were loyal to Klein, but feel the way the Mayor's office handled the announcements on Tuesday left insiders completely out.
"I did have a public search and I picked the best person, I considered as many different people, I talked to people for suggestions," Bloomberg said.
It's still unclear who else was considered and who was talked to, but several senior officials are apparently unhappy. It turns out Anagnostopoulos and Black have been neighbors in the same Park Avenue building. Anagnostopoulos hasn't commented on her abrupt resignation but a DOE spokesperson said, "Given the transition we are about to undertake, she felt it was the right time to move on. We wish her well..."
Experts say retaining other deputies will be key for Ms. Black.
"There are superb people in the leadership now I certainly hope she's able to keep. I am a little concerned because there are so many other districts who have caught onto the need for continuous improvement and are looking to New York for principals or for superintendents," said Paul Hill of the University of Washington.
The tenor of the transition may depend on whether the team at Tweed stays on or not.