Dem school clique

Pols push Heastie to oppose gov’s takeover plan

ALBANY — Dozens of Assembly Democrats are pressing Speaker Carl Heastie to side with Mayor de Blasio over Gov. Cuomo on the issue of school reform, the Daily News has learned.

Fifty-three Democrats, led by Education Committee Chairwoman Catherine Nolan (D-Queens) and Speaker Pro Tempore Jeffrion Aubry (D-Queens), have signed a letter to Heastie (center) urging him to reject Cuomo’s push for the state to be able to take over failing schools.

“This proposal would wrest struggling schools away from local control and subject them to oversight by outside individuals or organizations, thereby interfering with the reforms municipalities are already implementing at the local level to strengthen schools and boost classroom achievement,” the letter states.

The Democrats say putting the worst schools into state receivership has had a “mixed record at best” in other states.

“As we confront the challenges of providing our children with a great education, it is important that we keep in mind what works when it comes to supporting our public schools,” the Assembly members say.

The letter does not specifically reference other Cuomo (left) initiatives that would reform the teacher evaluation and tenure systems and increase the number of charter schools — all proposals typically opposed by the Assembly Democrats.

The 53 Dems did write they support the reform agenda of de Blasio and his schools chancellor, Carmen Fariña. They specifically cited the mayor’s call to increase community school services that deliver mental health, an extended day for failing schools, expanded summer school and greater access to math and technology programs.

Heastie spokesman Michael Whyland said that “these are issues we are discussing with members.”

A Cuomo administration official dismissed the letter as a bouquet to the powerful teacher unions.

“We understand that the unions control our education system and have great political clout,” the aide said. “That’s why our education system has failed so many young people for so long. The governor stands with the students while the union and their cronies would perpetuate failing schools and bad teachers?”

Meanwhile, Families for Excellent Schools, a group that supports charter schools, on Tuesday called on de Blasio (right) and Fariña to visit 46 “high-performing, high-poverty, and majority-of-color” schools where students are achieving high levels of proficiency — “before rushing forward with an untested, $150 million Renewal Schools program.”

Of the 46 schools, 23 are district facilities and 23 are charter schools.

Almost none, the groups says, are the kinds of community schools de Blasio has made the centerpiece of his Renewal

Schools program.