New York City’s school system is basically a small country. When you're talking about roughly 900,000 students and a budget that clears $40 billion, the person at the top isn't just an administrator. They're a lightning rod. Honestly, the role of chancellor of nyc schools has been a bit of a revolving door lately, and if you've been trying to keep track of who’s actually in charge at Tweed Courthouse, you’re not alone in your confusion.
Right now, the seat is held by Kamar Samuels. He took over on January 1, 2026.
His arrival marks a pretty dramatic shift in tone for the nation’s largest school district. He was appointed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who—if you followed the chaotic 2025 election—won on a platform that was often at odds with the previous administration’s "CEO-style" management. Samuels isn't a newcomer, though. He’s a veteran educator who came up through the NYC Teaching Fellows, taught in the Bronx, and eventually ran districts in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
The Transition from Banks and Aviles-Ramos
To understand where we are, you’ve gotta look at how we got here. Most people remember David Banks, the longtime ally of former Mayor Eric Adams. Banks’ tenure ended abruptly in late 2024 amid a flurry of federal investigations that had nothing to do with classrooms and everything to do with City Hall politics.
Then came Melissa Aviles-Ramos. She was a brief but significant bridge.
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Aviles-Ramos was the highest-ranking Latina in the system and stepped in to keep the ship steady during the 2025 transition. She actually wanted to stay on. She even did the media rounds, talking to the Daily News and WNYC about why her "super teacher" background made her the right fit for the new mayor. But Mamdani wanted a fresh start. He ultimately tapped Samuels, though Aviles-Ramos stayed on for a month this January to make sure the handoff wasn't a total disaster.
Why the Chancellor Job is a Pressure Cooker
It's not just about the kids. It's about the politics of "Mayoral Control." For twenty years, the mayor has had the final word on schools. Mamdani actually campaigned on ending that power, which would have fundamentally changed what the chancellor of nyc schools does.
But, in a move that surprised some of his supporters, he reversed course just this month. He's keeping control for now but promised to "strengthen community input." Basically, Samuels has to figure out how to be the boss while convincing parents they’re actually the ones in charge.
What’s on the Chancellor’s Desk Right Now?
If you think it’s all just ribbon cuttings, think again. Samuels inherited a system with some massive, lingering headaches.
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- NYC Reads: This was David Banks' signature move—switching the whole city to a "science of reading" phonics-based curriculum. Samuels has already told principals he’s "doubling down" on this. It's working, so he's not messing with it.
- NYC Solves: This is the math version of the reading overhaul. Here’s where it gets interesting: Samuels is already signaling a "different approach." He’s hearing from teachers that the current math mandate is a bit too rigid, and he’s looking to pivot.
- Chronic Absenteeism: This is the elephant in the room. About 40 percent of kids are still chronically absent. That’s 300,000 students. You can have the best curriculum in the world, but it doesn't matter if the seats are empty.
- School Integration: Unlike his predecessors, Samuels is leaning hard into integration. He’s been vocal about how segregated the schools still are and wants to use his experience from District 13 to move the needle citywide.
The "Finance Guy" Who Became a Teacher
One of the coolest things about Samuels—and something that gives him a weirdly balanced perspective—is that he didn't start in a classroom. He actually worked in finance for the NBA.
He's a Baruch College grad who understands the $40 billion ledger, but he also knows what it’s like to stand in front of a class at PS 41 in the Bronx. That dual identity is probably why the unions, like Michael Mulgrew’s UFT, have been relatively warm toward him so far. They see him as a "practical" leader rather than a political appointee.
Misconceptions About the Chancellor's Power
A lot of people think the chancellor of nyc schools can just snap their fingers and change a school’s culture. It doesn't work that way. The system is a massive bureaucracy.
Between the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP), the local Community Education Councils (CECs), and the state legislature in Albany, the Chancellor is more like a high-wire acrobat. They have to balance the Mayor's agenda with the very real, often angry demands of parents in 32 different districts.
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What to Expect in 2026
If you’re a parent or an educator, the next six months are going to be telling. Watch the budget. The 2026 budget includes $23 million just for teacher recruitment and $197 million for early childhood education. Samuels has to spend that money effectively while navigating a "distraction-free schools" initiative (the big cellphone ban debate) and a push for more "back-to-basics" learning.
Actionable Steps for Parents and Educators
If you want to stay in the loop or actually influence what happens at the top, don't just wait for the news.
- Track the PEP Meetings: The Panel for Educational Policy is where the Chancellor’s big contracts and policy shifts get voted on. You can watch these live online. It’s dry, sure, but it’s where the real power is exercised.
- Engage with your CEC: Your local Community Education Council is your direct line. Samuels has specifically said he wants to hear more from these groups than previous chancellors did.
- Monitor "NYC Reads" Progress: If your child is in elementary school, ask their teacher how the curriculum is shifting. Samuels is keeping this as his "Number One Goal," so you should see consistency there even if other things change.
- Watch the Math Shift: Since Samuels hinted at changes to "NYC Solves," keep an eye on your school's math materials this spring. If the mandate feels like it's loosening up, that’s him at work.
The role of chancellor of nyc schools is currently in a state of "stable evolution." We have a leader who knows the system from the inside out, but he's serving a mayor who wants to fundamentally rethink how that system listens to the people. Whether Samuels can bridge that gap without getting swallowed by the bureaucracy is the $40 billion question.