Union, NAACP Sue Over N.Y.C. School Closings 02/03/10

By The Associated Press  New York

The teachers union and the NAACP have filed a lawsuit that seeks to block the closing of 19 low-performing New York City schools.

The union said the plan to close the schools violates state law because it fails to consider the impact of the closings on the community. New York City NAACP leaders said the decision will hurt minority students.

The lawsuit was filed Monday in Manhattan state Supreme Court.

The union claimed it had not been consulted about the decision in any meaningful way.

The Panel for Education Policy voted last week to close the schools, which it said are failing. The panel is controlled by Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Bloomberg and Chancellor Joel Klein have defended the closing of schools which they say are failing their mission.

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