A successor to New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks has been named following his announcement of retirement at the year’s end, according to sources from Eyewitness News. Melissa Aviles-Ramos will take over as NYC’s new Schools Chancellor, with an official announcement expected on Wednesday.
Banks’ decision to retire comes amid a federal investigation into Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, which recently resulted in the seizure of Banks’ phone approximately three weeks ago. He is the fourth high-ranking official from Adams’ administration to step down in recent weeks, following Police Commissioner Edward Caban, who is also under investigation; the Mayor’s chief counsel, Lisa Zornberg, who cited an inability to defend the mayor; and City Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan, who announced his retirement effective at the end of the year, though he is not believed to be under investigation.
In a letter obtained by ABC News, Banks expressed pride in his nearly 40 years of service to the city’s public schools. He highlighted accomplishments during his tenure, stating, “I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished and the opportunity to work alongside dedicated professionals to shape the future of education in our great city. We have faced many challenges and made significant strides in improving the educational landscape for our students, families, and educators.”
Banks mentioned the successful initiatives during his leadership, including improvements in literacy, special education services, and the integration of over 45,000 migrant students into the system. He emphasized that these efforts laid the foundation for students to graduate ready for successful careers.
In his statement, Banks had previously indicated that he intended to retire after ensuring a strong start to the school year. Despite the impending investigations, he had maintained a focus on his responsibilities, stating just eleven days ago, “We will all wait and see where these investigations go and, other than that, I am very, very focused on my work.”
