I participated on at least one principal hiring committee (C-30) where it was clear the network leader was pushing a specific candidate.

the hire was good, and the candidate is working out pretty well. But the district superintendant was clearly not empowered to lead the process.

Schools should not be allowed to choose their own network. From my understanding, and experience networks that interfere or challenge a principals agenda are changed within the year. So if something is not working at a school or a complaint actually makes it up the ladder to the said network, a principal could just switch networks to one that is less supervisory. It's like picking your own boss and being able to fire your boss because you don't like what they have to say or tell you what your are not doing correctly. There is no accountability with this system. When the "buck stopped" with the Superintendent conflicts were easier to resolve. This system is a waste of tax payer money by having "managers" not manage but placate to keep networks and paychecks to said networks up and running.

This is a good piece; thanks! Of all the terrible decisions DOE has made, the incoherent, wasteful, and unaccountable network structure will be the easiest for the next Mayor to undo; let's hope s/he does!

I do wish folks would stop repeating this canard, or at least back it up:
"Schools are no longer clustered according to geography. Instead, they elect to join networks organized around an instructional philosophy or particular area of expertise.'
First the networks were crated in spped dating forums and information fairs.
Even back in 2007 some networks were the cool kids in the lunchroom and others were the left overs, left behind and forced to network by some other affiliation- like from the same Leadership Academy class- or the ability to form an ESO ( not an option for all schools, BTW) or mere chance...
Fast forward 5 years as things morph, in the dark, and tell me now, please, just how many networks are organized around pedagogy or expertise or ANYTHING!