The controversy over a popular Queens principal accused of assaulting a student and mishandling school funds flared up recently as community leaders and elected officials rallied for the beleaguered educator.
Breakfast Queens Education Forum
During a roundtable meeting in Queens with Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, advocates of Principal Shango Blake demanded a hearing for the former head of Intermediate School 109 in Queens Village.
Shango Blake - Daily News Photo
His father, James Blake, a CUNY professor, led the offensive at the gathering - originally intended as a forum for Klein to address education issues in southern Queens.
"If my son did something wrong, I want him to be punished because that will be beneficial for him," said James Blake. "But he has to have a fair hearing first. There have only been allegations."
Chancellor Joel Klein
Blake was removed as principal of IS 109 after investigators alleged that he had "choked and punched" a 13-year-old student and misappropriated $30,000 in school graduation, lunch and snack sale funds. Blake has denied the allegations.
Congressman Gregory Meeks
"He will be charged, and he will have a chance to have a full and fair hearing," Klein said to Blake and a room packed with his son's supporters.
District 27 Council President - Seated on Dais Assemblywoman Michelle Titus, State Senator Shirley Huntley and Assemblywoman Vivian Cooke
"We are working with the union to find processes to move it more quickly."
District 27 Council President Lorraine Bridges
Since Blake's removal - announced a week before the start of the school year - scores of parents, community leaders and elected officials have come to his defense.
State Senator Malcolm Smith
"I would like to see him have due process," said Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens).
"He is being held in limbo and has not had the chance to address those that accused him, and that is fundamentally wrong."
Assemblywoman Michelle Titus
Many of Blake's defenders credit the principal with increasing math and reading scores and turning around the once-failing school.
"It was like they removed the CEO of a company and replaced them with a freshman in college," said Richard Arnoux, an IS109 parent.
"Blake turned that school into a success for our children. Right now these are allegations, and all of the changes at IS 109 have been destroyed," Arnoux said.
CPAC Chair William McDonald, District 27 Council President Willie Ramos and Manhattan HS President's Council Danielle Rogers
But Blake is not without his critics. Faculty members and other parents have taken issue with his autocratic leadership style and have told the Daily News the school is functioning well without him.
