Senator John Liu Statement On The Resignation Of NYC Public Schools Chancellor David Banks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Contact: Soojin Choi |347-556-6335| press@johnliusenate.com 

New York, NY - State Senator John Liu, chair of the Senate Committee on NYC Education, stated the following about the announcement that NYC Public Schools Chancellor David Banks will resign.

“Chancellor David Banks has been a good Chancellor for NYC’s public school system, and I wish him well, but his announcement that he will leave by year’s end is terrible news for our schools and the City of New York. It comes at the worst possible time, as the City is on deadline to implement a state constitutional mandate to lower class sizes, and as the city’s entire system of school governance continues to be called into question with the recent extension of mayoral control for two years. Meanwhile, the implementation of new reading and math initiatives announced by Chancellor Banks requires a steady hand at the helm to follow through and to make sure our teachers and school kids are adapting appropriately.

“The loss of Chancellor Banks will be a significant challenge for the mayor as he has relied heavily on his schools chancellor for leadership, and it raises renewed questions about whether mayoral control is the best form of school governance. Worse, this sudden and unexpected announcement raises questions about the continued viability of this mayoralty. With the most important leaders exiting his administration, it is irresponsible for the mayor to characterize these departures as mere distractions. Heaven help our City.”