New York City, NY — David C. Banks, the chancellor of New York City’s public school system, announced on Tuesday that he would resign at the end of December. This decision comes in the wake of multiple federal investigations surrounding Mayor Eric Adams and his administration, including a bribery investigation that recently involved the seizure of Banks’s phone by federal agents.
Banks’s resignation marks the fourth departure of a top official from the Adams administration in less than two weeks, following the resignations of the police commissioner, the city’s top lawyer, and an announcement from the health commissioner about leaving office at year-end. The recent turmoil has raised questions about the stability of Adams’s administration, which is already grappling with several corruption inquiries.
The chancellor’s close relationship with Mayor Adams is notable; the mayor has known Banks and his family for decades. The timing of the resignation—just weeks into the new school year—adds to the complications facing the Education Department, which is working to address declining student performance and lingering mental health issues from the pandemic.
Melissa Aviles-Ramos, one of Banks’s top deputies and former chief of staff, is expected to be appointed as the next chancellor soon. However, it remains uncertain whether she will serve in an interim or permanent capacity.
The resignation follows a chaotic few weeks for Banks, particularly after federal agents seized his phone on September 4, just before the school year began. The investigation reportedly involves a consulting firm run by his brother, Terence Banks, and has also included the seizure of phones belonging to Banks’s fiancée, Sheena Wright, who is the first deputy mayor, and his brother Philip Banks III.
Although no charges have been filed against Banks or anyone else involved, the investigations contribute to a challenging atmosphere for the Adams administration, which is also facing scrutiny over potential illegal foreign campaign contributions.
In a statement regarding Banks’s resignation, Mayor Adams acknowledged the significant changes the public school system underwent under his leadership. “On behalf of all New Yorkers, we thank Chancellor Banks for his service,” he stated.
Critics of the mayor, including Democratic state senator Gustavo Rivera, suggest that Banks’s departure signifies the growing pressure on Adams’s administration. Others have echoed concerns about the mass resignations from key positions, with some calling for the mayor’s resignation amid these scandals.
Banks’s tenure has been marked by both challenges and achievements. He was appointed in early 2022 during a critical time for the school system, and he had initiated various reforms, including a major curriculum overhaul aimed at improving reading skills among young children. However, his administration faced criticism for the slow rollout of initiatives to support students, especially those impacted by the pandemic and rising tensions related to social issues, such as the Israel-Hamas conflict.
His recent appearance before Congress addressing antisemitism in schools was viewed as a high point of his tenure, demonstrating his political acumen.
Banks’s departure adds another layer of complexity to an already tumultuous political landscape in New York City as the mayor navigates the fallout from these investigations and public scrutiny.
