That is the question at this free symposium about mayoral control after Bloomberg on Thursday, March 6, 2008 from 8:15 am to 10:30 am at the Tishman Auditorium at 66 West 12th Street (between 5th and 6th avenues)

The event will feature a presentation  by Joel Klein, Chancellor, New York City Department of Education. Here’s the blurb from the invitation:

When Mayor Michael Bloomberg took office one of his top priorities was to repair the city’s ailing public schools. The state gave him control of the school system five years ago and must soon decide whether to extend that power to future administrations. Are the schools more accountable today? Students and teachers more successful? Parents more engaged? Principals more effective? What’s the track record of mayoral control—and should it continue after 2009?

Other speakers will include:

Christopher D. Cerf, Deputy Chancellor for Organizational Strategy, Human Capital and External Relations

Carmen Colon, Executive Director, Association of NYC Education Councils

Ernest A. Logan, President, NYC Council of School Supervisors and Administrators

Hon. Alan Maisel, Member, New York State Assembly (D-Brooklyn)

Merryl Tisch, Vice Chancellor, New York State Board of Regents

MODERATOR: Samuel G. Freedman, Columnist, “On Education,” The New York Times, and Professor, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism

Light breakfast will be available beginning at 8 a.m. You must reserve a spot at this event. Go to centernyc.org