NEW YORK (PIX11) -- There is a fierce debate about who should control New York City's sprawling public school system, which serves around 900,000 children.
Mayor Eric Adams is seeking to maintain his direct oversight of the schools, known as "mayoral control." However, with budget cuts, including cuts to popular school programs, he is getting strong pushback.
On Wednesday, the mayor visited P.S. 123 to mark World Read Aloud Day. It highlights what Adams sees as one of his most successful initiatives within the school system.
"I hope you enjoy this book by Maya Angelou," Adams said to a room full of excited elementary school children.
The book was about being brave and persevering and comes as Adams looks to persist in the face of questions about whether he should still lead New York City's public school system -- as every mayor since Michael Bloomberg has done.
Adams made the case on his way out the door, saying graduation rates are up 30% under mayoral control, and current test scores are higher than the state average. Plus, he and Chancellor David Banks have been praised for reforming the reading program to put an emphasis on phonics.
"So what we hoped for when we put mayoral accountability in place, we're getting. We're getting the product," Adams said. "So let us continue the good work we are doing."
The comments come a day after Adams was grilled by state lawmakers in Albany, some of whom have suggested returning to something more community-based systems, with local school boards and a board of education.
The mayor does have a powerful ally in all of this: Gov. Kathy Hochul is advocating to extend mayoral control for another four years and has copied the mayor's signature reading program.
However, other major cities, including Chicago, are moving back toward a school board system.
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