Quinn to boot Barron from education committee

In a move to punish a disobedient member, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn is expected today to strip Council firebrand Charles Barron of his chairmanship on the Higher Education Committee, a source told The Post.

Barron (D-Brooklyn) has long battled with Quinn, and recently caused a commotion at this year's opening Council meeting when he challenged her for speaker and invited an angry group of residents to the meeting. Many in attendance shouted "Uncle Tom" at black members who voted for Quinn, who won with all but Barron's vote.

Barron, a former Black Panther, also publicly traded jabs with CUNY trustee Jeffrey Wiesenfeld at a groundbreaking for CUNY's Fitterman Hall last year, and Wiesenfeld immediately asked Quinn to take Barron off the committee.

A source said the job will be given to newcomer Ydanis Rodriguez (D-Manhattan).

The decision could have broader political implications if Quinn decides to run for mayor in 2013: After news got out last month that she was considering taking Barron off the committee, many black leaders, including the Rev. Al Sharpton, staged a protest outside City Hall to blast her for politicizing education.

Quinn to boot Barron from education committee.