City officials in New York are considering hiring several private groups, previously funded by grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to manage many public schools. The grants that funded groups like Expeditionary Learning-Outward Bound are supposed to run out in June, according to The New York Times. If the plan is approved, the city could contract with the private groups by next school year.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/05/nyregion/05private.html?hp&ex=1160107200&en=7d715afda89d0c56&ei=5094&partner=homepage