By: Don Driggers
The world of New York City public schools is about to be rocked according to a recent New York Post story. The new Schools Chancellor of New York City, David Banks, is setting things up to replace all the current superintendents of the New York City School system. The New York Post reports, via an exclusive source, that “This is big. It’s definitely happening. There’s definitely a shake-up under way,” said a source who was briefed by Banks on his plan to review the jobs of all of the superintendents overseeing K-12 education and special-education schools across the five boroughs”. On Sunday, The New York Post reported, “Banks has already replaced many of the top brass at the Department of Education’s Tweed headquarters with his own leadership team”.
Carl Campanile of The New York Post was able to get a statement in regard to this upcoming shake-up. “Asked about the superintendents being told to reapply for their positions, DOE spokesman Nathaniel Styer said, “Chancellor Banks’ vision of a re-imagined school system hinges on having excellent leaders at every level focused on delivering for students and families. “We will continue to build out a leadership team that provides the streamlined and responsive supports our students and educators deserve”.
Major changes in leadership is not uncommon when a new mayor takes office. The New York Post reports, “ Former Chancellor Carmen Farina, ex-Mayor Bill de Blasio’s first schools boss, replaced 15 superintendents just months after taking office in 2014. Superintendents have pulled in at least $180,000 a year”.
The New York Post appears confident that Banks will have positive impact on New York City Schools. According to The New York Post, “Banks learned the workings of the nation’s largest school system from the bottom up before becoming Mayor Eric Adams’ appointed chancellor. He is the former president and CEO of the Eagle Academy Foundation and the founding principal of The Eagle Academy for Young Men, the first school in a network of innovative all-boys city public schools. The chancellor started his career as a school safety officer and then a teacher before becoming the founding principal of the Bronx School for Law. “Chancellor Banks knows what it looks like as a principal trying to navigate the bureaucracy,” a source close to Banks said”. As further proof of his commitment to New York City students, Banks offered this quote to The New York Post, “I’m committed to drastic change. The intention here is to save millions of dollars for the system that gets pushed closer to schools. I’m not here to placate and make people feel good. I came here at the behest of the mayor to bring real change, and it is coming.”
