Tonight: Schools Forum In Kew Gardens

Tonight (Feb. 5) at 5:30 p.m., State Senators Shirley Huntley and Martin Malave Dilan will host a hearing on mayoral control of city schools at Queens Borough Hall in Kew Gardens.

The two lawmakers are part of the Senate Democratic School Governace Task Force, a State Senate Committee convened to take public testimony throughout the city regarding Mayor Michael Bloomberg's control of the city Department of Education.

Bloomberg was granted control of the city's school system in 2002 under a state measure that expires in June 2009.

Among the topics Huntley and Dilan will bring up for discussion:

• Whether the city Schools Chancellor should be an educator. Current Chancellor Joel Klien had no prior educational experience.

• Giving parents more decisionmaking power with regard to selecting new principals, school zoning and other major decisions.

Queens Borough Hall is located at 120-55 Queens Blvd. in Kew Gardens.

Witnesses may call the District Office at 1-718-322-2537 to be placed on the Speakers List. Testimonies may be submitted before or during the hearing.