Stung that the replacement of dissenting members of New York City's board of education produced hostile editorial comment in an election year, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Joel Klein will institute caning in the event that such a thing should happen again. "If Singapore can ensure good behavior among young people by caning malefactors and miscreants," Hizzoner told the City Hall press corps, "the world's greatest city should be able to guarantee that its appointed school board members do not step out of line again." Klein assured worried teacher union head Dandi Beergarten that caning was not currently planned for primary teachers who neglect to use the school system's approved whole-language reading program but, flashing his signature wry grin, added that "Of course, all our policies are under constant review. This must be a well-disciplined system for old and young alike."
"Bloomberg to whip dissidents on education panel," by Riane Davitch, New York Moon, March 28, 2004, http://www.night.net/christmas/f-o-cane.html