The City Council debated the pros and cons of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's control over the city's schools Thursday.

Schools Chancellor Joel Klein and Deputy Mayor for Education Dennis Walcott were on hand for the hearing.

They're pushing state lawmakers in Albany to reauthorize the seven-year-old decision that's set to expire at the end of the month.

"Since the mayor took accountability and responsibility for our schools we've fundamentally, fundamentally, changed the system and transformed results," said Klein.

"You both spent a lot of time talking about the progress you've made and that's great. As a parent of two public school kids, I appreciate that progress," said City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr.

"I'll probably be mayor one day in this city, but I won't even want mayoral control. That's too much power. Too much authority for one person to have that's not an educator," said City Councilman Charles Barron.

City Council members don't get a say on the renewal of mayoral control. But a Council group created to examine it is calling for the Council to have more legislative and oversight powers, including authority over deciding where to locate schools and school safety.

Outside City Hall, various religious leaders rallied in support of the mayor controlling schools.

They say public schools have thrived since the 2002 take-over.