Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely

Oh oh! I am doing it again. Going to throw in another Star Trek reference. But this time, in line with the pattern of recent Nazi references, there will be comparisons to the Third Reich.

In TOS episode "Pattern of Force" (by the way, this is Numb Nuts favorite Star Trek episode!) in which the planet Ekos is transformed into a Nazi state by Federation cultural observer John Gil (he did violate the prime directive!) Dr McCoy commented at the end, "absolute power corrupts absolutely" it seems this lesson is still lost in the NYC DOE. Did anyone catch this little article tucked away from view in the Daily News on Tuesday?

Schools official says Bloomberg gave too much power to principals

BY ELIZABETH LAZAROWITZ DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

The Bloomberg administration overstepped its bounds in giving principals the final say in setting educational objectives, state education officials said.

Education Commissioner Richard Mills also slammed city Schools Chancellor Joel Klein for not consulting superintendents, teachers and parents when he rolled out amended rules in 2007.

The ruling restored some power to the parent-teacher teams which help create the annual blueprint for a school's operation known as a Comprehensive Education Plan.

Mills agreed with a new rule letting principals have the final say on school budgets, since the amendment also requires them to get input from the teams.

The city will clarify the regulation's language, a Department of Education spokeswoman said.

Parents have long complained that the administration has turned a deaf ear to their concerns and opinions.

Fascism alive and well in the NYC DOE!