Principals abandon principles to play politics

1986

Year of scandal

Culminating one of its most comprehensive investigative efforts, the March 6 issue of The Press revealed that positions as principals and assistant principals at Community School District 10 schools had become patronage plums doled out from lists provided by the Riverdale Democratic Club and the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club.

“School board members loyal to [bitter rivals] Borough President Stanley Simon and Assemblyman Oliver Koppell take the political activity of job applicants into account when the board deliberates over appointments.” The Press reported, adding that teachers who hoped to get promotions felt compelled to work in campaigns and attend political functions “without conviction, or even against their convictions, because they see it as the only way to advance their careers.”

The revelations led to an investigation by Bronx District Attorney Mario Merola, who found no indictable offenses, but issued a scathing report on the practices of the two clubs.

Ultimately, the state legislature took up the issue and outlawed political involvement in school board elections.

Corruption and political chicanery were among the principal arguments that led to the demise of locally elected school boards and the assertion of mayoral control of the city’s schools.