Senate Dems Pondering School Control Deal

Democratic members in the State Senate are meeting now at 250 Broadway to discuss the "framework" of a deal on school governance, sources said.

As The Times reported, the deal would mirror proposals the conference put on the table last week. Senators would pass a bill that has already cleared the Assembly—a bill which retains the core elements of mayoral school control and is supported by Michael Bloomberg —if Bloomberg agreed to support chapter amendments allowing for a parent training academy and other items to ensure more parental involvement.

Entering the meeting, State Senator Tom Duane said senators were to be briefed on a "framework" of a deal. Two Democratic sources in the State Senate said that this deal is different than the framework that fell apart last week because it does not involve a memorandum of understanding.

Sources confirmed that one of the last sticking points was cleared last night, as Wayne Barrett reported, when Democrats agreed to shift administration for the parent training academy to CUNY.

The deal would come after two weeks in which Bloomberg and senators traded barbs publicly.