NYC Schools Chief Aviles-Ramos, backed by union and parents, advocates for Mamdani’s continued position.
Melissa Aviles-Ramos, the Chancellor of New York City Public Schools, has expressed her desire to remain in her position as head of the nation’s largest school district. This statement comes shortly after mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani indicated that Aviles-Ramos is still under consideration for the role. Aviles-Ramos conveyed in a recent interview that she believes significant work still lies ahead for the school system. She highlighted her extensive experience within the district, claiming that her background equips her with a unique perspective, especially as a parent of a sixth grader.
Mamdani is reportedly considering several candidates for the role of Chancellor, including Meisha Porter, a former chancellor under Bill de Blasio, and other notable names such as Kamar Samuels, a local superintendent from Harlem, and Alex Marrero, the superintendent of Denver schools. Mamdani’s spokesperson noted that the Mayor-elect is conducting a thorough search for all personnel appointments and will make announcements when appropriate.
Throughout her tenure, Aviles-Ramos and Mamdani have found common ground on critical issues, such as advocating for the rights of migrant students and addressing homelessness among public school students. Aviles-Ramos stated her eagerness to collaboratively enhance existing programs and potentially introduce new initiatives aligned with their shared goals.
If Mamdani were to retain Aviles-Ramos as Chancellor, this would mark a historical precedent, as it would be the first instance of a New York City mayor exercising the authority to keep the previous administration’s appointee in place. This decision would be particularly relevant given Mamdani’s campaign commitment to reevaluate the mayoral control of the public school system, a move some advocacy groups support as a transition toward involving more community input in educational governance.
Aviles-Ramos’s leadership has been marked by her proactive approach to the challenges posed by the migrant crisis, wherein she was instrumental in implementing support systems for asylum-seeking families within the school district. Her efforts in addressing issues of student homelessness and enhancing parental involvement have garnered positive feedback from various stakeholders in the education community.
As Mamdani finalizes his transition team, which held its inaugural meeting recently, the selection of a Chancellor remains a complex undertaking, especially in light of his ambitious goal to reform or eventually dismantle mayoral control. The future trajectory of New York City’s public school governance continues to evolve as it navigates the interplay between leadership, policy promises, and community engagement in educational administration.
