The New York City public school system, the largest in the United States, is set to welcome a new leader at its helm. Melissa Aviles-Ramos, a seasoned educator with nearly two decades of experience within the NYC public schools, has been named the next chancellor. This announcement comes as the current chancellor, David Banks, prepares for retirement at the end of the year.
At a press conference at the Mayor’s office, Chancellor Banks expressed his pleasure at the new appointment, stating, “Continuity matters. Stability matters. So even as I have now made this announcement, I’m not leaving tomorrow. The mayor and I have talked now for the last several months about this plan that I planned on leaving by the end of this calendar year.”
Aviles-Ramos’s journey in education began as an English teacher after joining the New York City Public Schools in 2007. Her career trajectory has been marked by a series of progressive leadership roles, including assistant principal, principal, deputy superintendent, acting superintendent, and education administrator. During her tenure as principal, she notably increased graduation rates by 60 percent within two years, showcasing her ability to enact significant change within educational institutions.
Her appointment as chancellor marks a historic moment as she becomes the highest-ranking Latina and Spanish-speaking leader in the New York City Public Schools. Aviles-Ramos has been an advocate for community engagement, spearheading initiatives that address critical issues affecting students and their families. Her work has included creating advisory councils and launching community-based projects, reflecting her commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive educational environment.
Banks acknowledged Aviles’ past role in fostering new programs and explained why he was so eager to bring her back into the NYC DOE: “Melissa led the work of Project Open Arms as we welcome 45,000 newest New Yorkers. She was the face of that. And then she went on to become my chief of staff. And then she got tired of that and she left us. She took a short leave and she went and worked in higher ed. But as the mayor and I had conversation, we said we ought to bring Melissa back as I was making plans for months down the line for my own exit.”
Mayor Eric Adams also expressed his confidence in Aviles-Ramos, citing her “fierce commitment to public education” and her extensive experience in fostering community engagement and supporting families. In making the announcement, he also praised the accomplishments achieved under Chancellor Banks, including transforming reading and math education, instituting universal dyslexia screenings, and expanding access to early childhood education.
In his speech the outgoing chancellor framed his departure as a voluntary decision to return to private life, however, the move may have been spurred by the recent controversy swirling around him and his two brothers, Philip and Terence.
Banks’ retirement is one of a series of high-profile resignations within Mayor Eric Adams’ administration. His decision follows the seizure of Banks’ phone by federal agents, an event that coincides with the resignation of other key figures in the administration, including the police commissioner and the city’s health commissioner. His retirement letter did not address the ongoing federal investigations but emphasized his desire to ensure the school year started smoothly before stepping down.
The investigations, which have not been publicly detailed by federal prosecutors, involve senior aides, relatives of those aides, campaign fundraising, and potential influence peddling. Amidst these developments, Banks’ brother, Philip, serves as the city’s deputy mayor for public safety, and another brother, Terence, runs a consulting firm that has promised to connect clients with top government stakeholders. The scrutiny extends to Banks’ partner, Sheena Wright, the first deputy mayor, whose devices were also seized. Mayor Adams has publicly expressed his gratitude for Banks’ contributions to the school system, despite the challenges his administration faces with the ongoing investigations.
Aviles-Ramos is set to step into her new role on January 1, 2025. Her background as a former teacher and a mother of a public-school student gives her a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities within the NYC public school system. Under her leadership, the focus will remain on strengthening support for students with disabilities and multilingual learners, improving literacy and math proficiency rates, helping older students forge pathways to bright futures, and ensuring the safety of schools.
However, after the appointment of Aviles-Ramos was announced the Federal government indicted Mayor Adams on corruption charges following a year-long investigation. Adams said in a video address to New Yorkers “it’s now my belief that the federal government intends to charge me with crimes” and if so, they’d be “entirely false, based on lies.”
This latest development adds still another layer of uncertainty to the leadership roles in the New York City administration and how it will move forward.
