Charter fan mulls run vs. Perkins

Charter fan mulls run vs. Perkins

By CARL CAMPANILE


A potential challenger to Bill Perkins' re-election bid yesterday ripped the Harlem senator's resistance to charter schools.

"I am a strong supporter of charter schools. It appears to me that Mr. Perkins is out of touch with the community on the charter-school issue. That's where Mr. Perkins is wrong," said Larrry Blackmon, a city Parks Department deputy weighing a bid to unseat Perkins (D-Harlem) in a primary.

Leaders in the charter movement have blasted Perkins' opposition.

Perkins has submitted legislation that some say would block an increase in the number charters, and last week held a hearing stacked with charter critics.

Blackmon is the second potential Perkins rival to say he backs lifting the cap on charters.

Basil Smikle, another potential candidate, on Monday also vowed to expand and nurture charters.

"The numbers don't lie," Blackmon said of student success in charters.

"For years, District 5 schools in Harlem lagged behind the rest of the city in term of academic performance. Now we finally see some advancement and a ray of hope."

Charter fan mulls run vs. Perkins - NYPOST.com.