New York City Department of Education

Why have you not fired principle Eugin Jaela Kim yet??? She prohibits her teachers from the Pledge of Allegiance. She bans Santa Claus. She bans Christmas stars and angels. She bans the celebration of a national holiday «Thanksgiving». And she tosses out brand new school book when funds are tight. She then purchases 7 new $ 3,000 TV sets and never uses them.

Disclaimer: I am not writing as student/​employee of the DOE.
For a mentor program that involved working with high school students, I was subject to background check and fingerprint process that had to be done at the DOE.
For one of the largest municipal educational systems in the country, I was surprised to find that there was only one location to for all administrative affairs and it was in Downtown Brooklyn, which IMHO, is not a central or convenient location for those from all parts of the city (notably Staten Island & the Bronx).
The hours, while normal for a bureaucratic agency, are extremely inconvenient — especially for the population it serves! How is anyone who is currently working able to come in Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm? The students themselves are in school longer. The coffee shop on my street serves a much smaller population and even less important function and THEY have better hours. Half a day on Saturday? Even an 8am opening time on weekdays would be exponentially more helpful.
Outside the hours, the process is highly inefficient where you have to wait in a line to state your purpose to WAIT IN A LINE AGAIN. Yes, I said that right: you have to wait in a line to wait in a line, even if you have all the proper paperwork.
Unfortunately, unlike restaurants, there isn’t an alternative NYC DOE you can go to but one can only hope that some reevaluation could occur to better serve the teachers/​volunteers/​staff and by proxy, students/​people of New York.
Giving two stars because staff was friendly and helpful and cannot be faulted for what is an organizational/​process inefficiency.

As a new employee they’re been very helpful so far getting things going for me. Kudos

A source of substitute teaching for every slacker artist-​type in this city. Yay for DOE (when papers and checks are not lost, Kafka-​style).

Ah DOE. You were trouble from the start. But you do pay my bills, so I can’t complain too much!
In 2002 when I applied for my certification, you forgot to give it to me. I had to call up 3 years later and get it processed.
In 2006 when I was looking for a job, you didn’t help one bit! Actually, you denied me a job and I ended up at the most dangerous school in the state. Thanks for that.
In 2006 – 2007 you did arrange for me to get paid for 1 year of experience, and a Master’s degree. I got paid on time, every 1^st and 15^th. It goes straight into my bank account, even in the summer. It’s glorious.
In 2007 you just gave me $ 3,400 (tax free) for working in above school, which you didn’t help me find. So who won now?! Thank you!