Chancellor David Banks will leave his position running the nation’s largest school system in two weeks – several months earlier than originally planned, city officials announced Wednesday night.
The change in plans means Melissa Aviles-Ramos will take over as New York City’s schools chief on Oct. 16 instead of Dec. 31.
In a stunning move Thursday morning, Banks blamed Mayor Eric Adams, his longtime friend, for moving up the date.
“Last week, I announced my planned retirement, and I was ready, willing and able to stay in my post until December 31st to conduct a responsible transition for our staff,” Banks said in a statement issued by a public relations firm, rather than the city Education Department. “The Mayor has decided to accelerate that timeline.”
In remarks to reporters Thursday morning, Adams said that having Banks and Aviles-Ramos overlap wasn’t bringing the “stability we wanted.”
Having her start closer to the beginning of the school year rather than the middle is a “good look” that will allow her to more quickly start implementing her plans, he added.
“One message, one leader there, and allowing her to get the job done correctly,” he said.
Those sentiments directly contradict the message that officials delivered just a week ago in a celebratory press conference announcing Aviles-Ramos’ appointment.
“This is the most responsible way that you can do this,” Banks said then of the plan to overlap with Aviles-Ramos for three months.
Despite Adams’ statement that Aviles-Ramos should get to work as soon as possible executing her vision, the incoming chancellor has made clear that her primary goal is continuing the work that Banks already started.
“My North Star is their North Star,” she told Chalkbeat, referring to Banks’ and Adams’ education priorities. “I share their vision … That’s why I agreed to be chancellor.”
The remarkable back-and-forth between Banks and Adams and the changing succession plans are the latest unprecedented developments involving city and education department leadership. They come as Adams faces federal charges of wire fraud, bribery, and receiving contributions from foreign nationals that he knew to be illegal. Adams has pleaded not guilty.
Banks and with his wife First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright have become tied up in the federal inquiries looming over City Hall. Both Banks and Wright had their phones seized by federal agents in September, just one day before the school year started, as part of a probe into Adams’ inner circle. Banks and Wright haven’t been accused of wrongdoing.
Just three weeks later, Banks announced his retirement effective Dec. 31, saying he was tired and “out of gas.” Adams tapped Aviles-Ramos as the schools chancellor the following day, just hours before news broke that he was indicted on federal corruption charges.
News of the expedited timetable for Banks’ departure comes amid reports that Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has the authority to remove the mayor from office, called on Adams to remove city officials who have been under investigation. Earlier this week, senior advisor Tim Pearson announced he is stepping down.
Asked if he had spoken to Hochul about removing Banks earlier, Adams told reporters he doesn’t reveal private conversations.
Though Hochul has not publicly called on Adams to resign, a growing number of local and state officials have done so — arguing Adams is incapable of leading the city while battling the federal charges. Adams, who is the first mayor to face federal charges while in office, has fiercely resisted those calls.
Adams also recently issued an executive order that would make it easier for Wright to step down from her role as first deputy mayor, fueling speculation she is also headed for the door, The New York Daily News reported.
Banks and Wright got married in a Martha’s Vineyard celebration last weekend.
The change in leadership comes at a critical time for many of the Adams administration’s signature education policies, with the rollout of multiple curriculum overhauls still underway.
Michael Elsen-Rooney is a reporter for Chalkbeat New York, covering NYC public schools. Contact Michael at melsen-rooney@chalkbeat.org .
Julian Shen-Berro is a reporter covering New York City. Contact him at jshen-berro@chalkbeat.org
