United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten is attempting to block a Harlem charter school that is being run by her nemesis, former City Councilwoman Eva Moskowitz, who held hearings in 2003 on the importance of the city's contract with teachers in the day-to-day operations of schools, the New York Times reports this morning. Weingarten, who tried unsuccessfully in 2003 to have the City Council snuff out the hearings before they saw the light of day (score one for Eva,) made Moskowitz a target in last year's race for Manhattan Borough President (score one for Randi,) and is now trying to keep the Harlem Success Academy from taking over underutilized space inside PS 154. (Time will tell whether the lucky winners in the school's recent lottery will even have a school afterall.)

"It would really sadden me and frankly tick me off if Randi is going to make somehow Harlem students victims in her personal vendetta against me," Ms. Moskowitz said. "She has repeatedly said that I'm going to pay. I was hoping that my political career would suffice, but perhaps not."

Ms. Moskowitz added: "Not only are schools going into schools already all over the city, but even within Harlem there are charter schools going into other schools. And Randi is making an issue of this particular situation."

Weingarten, whose own charter school uses underutilized space in an East New York public school building, denied that her battle had anything to do with Moskowitz.

The story also notes that Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) isn't all that giddy about the idea of another charter school (he curiously claims charters are not public schools) is slated to open up inside NEST+M school on Manhattan's Lower East Side next year. Silver reportedly wants to see if it is even legal to put public charter schools in public school buildings. Silver said of efforts underway to lift the cap (that has already been reached) on the number of public charter schools statewide: "I am reluctant, but I will listen."

It is a shame that the financing of charter schools doesn't make it easier for charter operators to build or lease classroom space more effectively on their own. I personally think charter schools are crazy to share space with NYC schools, but I understand (and appreciate) the financial necessity. Just because you have a mayor and chancellor who welcome charters into existing public school space, doesn't mean there aren't thousands of others within the city's Department of Education who want to try to sabotage the charter schools that are getting up and running at every turn. Speaking of, I'm working on a freelance project along these lines. If you have any anecdotes about bureaucratic/political sand that has been thrown in your charter school's face, drop me a line at TheChalkboard@nycsa.org.