Stuyvesant, in order to function fairly and efficiently, must find the middle ground between the unrestricted power of autocratic governance and the excesses of democracy. The C-30 committee is designed to do just that: to balance out Principal Stanley Teitel’s sole discretionary power over the selection of Assistant Principals (APs). The inherent flaw in this system is that Teitel need not adhere to the committee’s advice.
Stuyvesant has just selected former interim acting AP Chemistry and Physics Scott Thomas as the permanent AP Chemistry and Physics. Interviews for the position began Thursday, November 15 and were conducted by the C-30 committee, a body of administrators, parents and students that guide Teitel’s decision when hiring administrators. Teitel, however, has final say and can ignore the committee’s recommendations.
According to Chancellor’s regulations, all New York City public schools are required to hire their APs and principals through a C-30 committee. The C-30 committees consist of two levels. The Level 1 committee at Stuyvesant is made up of faculty, students, parents and a school aide. It interviews five applicants pre-selected by Teitel and reports its opinions to him. At Level 2, Teitel makes the final selection.
APs are essential members of the Stuyvesant community. Their responsibilities include screening teachers before they are hired and participating in Cabinet discussions that affect schoolwide policy. Thus, it is dangerous that the hiring of such an important figure is left to one person.
Before 2003, the superintendent, not the principal, had the authority to make this decision. Under the former system, decisions relied heavily on the committee’s judgment since the superintendent was not as familiar with the internal activities of the school.
In 2003, this regulation changed to give the principal ultimate authority. The C-30 committee is designed to have everyone’s opinions heard. Yet Teitel’s ability to make the final decision renders many voices insignificant. Furthermore, the C-30 process is often a mere formality. Most of Stuyvesant’s current APs were originally interim acting APs. Interim APs are not subject to any selection processes and are chosen directly by Teitel. From the very beginning, this process is unilateral.
Despite its original intent of involving the entire Stuyvesant community in the hiring of APs, the C-30 fails to instill anything more than guidelines. The members of the C-30 are not endowed with any real power—any influence they may hold is at the discretion of Teitel. In this regard, the C-30 is a failure in its aim to give the parents, teachers and students influence over the decisions that affect them most.
A committee-run hiring process would have its own share of problems: overburdening beaurocratic barriers would hinder productivity. A balance of power between the principal and advisory groups would maintain the efficiency evident in Thomas’ hiring while ensuring that all constituencies of the school have a say.