NYC Taps Superintendent Kamar Samuels as Next Schools Chancellor Amid Political Crosswinds

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has selected Kamar Samuels as the next chancellor of the nation’s largest public school system. Sources confirmed the appointment to the Daily News. Samuels is currently a superintendent in Manhattan’s District 3.

The decision comes at a turbulent time for the city’s Department of Education. Samuels will be the third person to lead the sprawling system in just two school years.

A Career Educator Steps Into the Spotlight

Kamar Samuels is a lifelong New York City educator. He began his career as an elementary school teacher in the Bronx. He later served as a middle school principal in the same borough.

His administrative career includes leading District 13 in Brooklyn. There, he was known for a district-wide middle school integration plan. He moved to Manhattan’s District 3 several years ago.

In his current role, Samuels managed a contentious school reconfiguration plan in Harlem. The plan aimed to address severe enrollment declines. It sparked community debate but won praise from education officials for expanding student access.

State Senator John Liu, chair of the New York City Education Committee, offered congratulations. Liu noted the “tremendous responsibility” of leading the system at this moment.

Navigating Immediate Challenges and Political Uncertainty

Samuels inherits a massive bureaucracy with a $40 billion budget. He will oversee nearly 900,000 students. His immediate challenges are significant and numerous.

A new state mandate to reduce class sizes will require major spending and hiring. Political pressure from Washington also looms. The White House has already pulled funding from some local magnet programs.

The biggest question may be his own future authority. Mayor-elect Mamdani campaigned on ending the current system of mayoral control of schools. This raises doubts about the chancellor’s traditional power.

Mamdani has not yet detailed his vision for school governance. According to reports, there is little current appetite in Albany for major governance changes.

One source described a messy selection process. Several camps within the transition team pushed for different candidates. This included current Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos.

The late timing of the mid-school-year appointment could cause instability. Students are set to return from winter break shortly after the new administration begins.

The appointment of Kamar Samuels as the new NYC Schools Chancellor places a seasoned educator at the helm during a period of profound transition. His success will depend on navigating fierce political winds while keeping the focus on city classrooms.

Thought you’d like to know

Who is Kamar Samuels?

Kamar Samuels is a longtime NYC educator. He worked as a teacher and principal in the Bronx before becoming a superintendent in Brooklyn and later Manhattan.

When does the new chancellor start?

An exact start date is not yet clear. Most chancellors begin at the start of the new mayoral term. The appointment was confirmed just before students return from winter break.

Why is this appointment significant?

Samuels will be the third chancellor in two years. He takes over during major challenges like a state class-size mandate and questions over the future of mayoral control of schools.

What was Samuels known for in Harlem?

He oversaw a controversial plan to reconfigure neighborhood schools due to falling enrollment. The move faced community backlash but was praised for trying to ensure equitable access to programs.

Who did Mayor-elect Mamdani replace?

He replaces Melissa Aviles-Ramos. She took over from David Banks, who resigned in late 2024 amid federal corruption probes related to City Hall.