Fighting rages in city school

Weeks after the affair of State teacher assessment of Governor Cuomo, schools Chancellor and President FOT exchanged harsh words Tuesday on stalled negotiations for a local agreement.

Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott accused President Michael Mulgrew Union to "mislead the public" after the Union complained Tuesday with a panel of State proposed the closure of 33 schools.

The FOT has asked the Board of public employment relations to order the city to negotiate about the fate of those schools — just hours before the two sides were expected to resume long-stalled talks on the basis of assessments of teacher.

Mayor Bloomberg floated the idea of closing schools and firing half of their staff in an effort to secure $ 58 million in federal funding is compromised by the lack of an agreement.

But even after reaching a deal, the city announced it planned to close the schools still — angering Mulgrew.

The breakdown shows how far apart the two sides are negotiating local piece of Cuomo's evaluation plan, which must be in place by the end of 2012.

Cuomo deal had solved a key sticking point between the two sides — a process of appeal to teachers to low-rated — but then the controversy over 33 schools heated.

Although the two sides still had to negotiate on Tuesday blasted Mulgrew, Walcott for not attending and both sides reported no progress.

"I participated in the meeting, but unfortunately, Mr Mulgrew was not in attendance," Walcott said in his toughest statement so far on this issue. "There is no reason why an agreement can't be reached very quickly, and we hope Mr will stop misleading Mulgrew and start honoring the spirit of the agreement that we reached with Governor Cuomo and Mr. Mulgrew supported".

But Mulgrew, which Union officials said never was expected to attend the meeting, accused city officials who "continue to break their word."

"Today's meeting was about creating an understanding that can lead to getting things done," says Mulgrew.

"However, it will be difficult to work with DOE, as long as they continue to break their word, carelessly close schools and harming students and school community."

rmonahan@nydailynews.com

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