Queens parents are rallying behind a longtime superintendent who they mentioned was let go from his place, a part of a broader shakeup of the training division’s forms by Colleges Chancellor David Banks.
At a press convention in Astoria, Deb Alexander, a member of the Group Schooling Council for District 30, mentioned parents are “furious” that the district superintendent Dr. Philip A. Composto seems to have misplaced his job.
“The entire District 30 community is reeling from the shrouded, mysterious and nonsensical decision,” she mentioned, including that Composto has been superintendent for 14 years, and has labored for the college system for 40.
Composto didn’t instantly return a name for remark.
A number of native lawmakers mentioned they have been disturbed by the opaque determination. “The real problem here is the way the city is doing this,” said State Senator Mike Giannaris. “They’re coming in, not consulting the community about something that’s going to have a great impact on their children, not giving us a reason for the decision they made.”
Since he was appointed by Mayor Eric Adams, Banks has been outspoken about plans to streamline the sprawling training division forms and redirect sources to colleges. He has mentioned he’s eliminating the chief superintendent place created by former Chancellor Richard Carranza, and may have all superintendents reapply for his or her roles.
Nathaniel Styer, a spokesperson for the training division, mentioned the reorganization will encompass 45 superintendents “with significantly expanded responsibilities and accountability.”
“As part of the first stage in this process, leadership put 130 potential candidates through a rigorous interview process and advanced the two or three best candidates for each district that fit this reimagined role,” Styer mentioned. “We are proud that we are putting the strongest candidates in front of parents and community members at public town halls and will receive their input on the final selection decisions.”
Requested about Composto at an unrelated press convention on Friday, Mayor Eric Adams mentioned he trusts Banks’ judgment.
“He is reforming a school system that has been dysfunctional and that has been broken for so long,” Adams mentioned. “One of the things he must do is he must put in place his generals that are going to be in charge.” He added that officers may have “community stakeholders” interview the highest two candidates for every function. It’s not but clear who these stakeholders will probably be and the way these interviews will happen.
David C. Bloomfield, Professor of Schooling Management, Regulation & Coverage, Brooklyn Faculty & The CUNY Graduate Heart, mentioned it’s frequent for chancellors to pick out their very own deputies and personnel, and famous that many have zeroed in on the superintendent stage between the training division’s central workplace and faculties.
“This is about the churn and politics of New York City education,” he mentioned.
However Bloomfield mentioned it’s essential for the chancellor to elucidate in larger depth what standards his crew is utilizing to guage candidates, “so that the public knows that quality leaders and not sycophants are being appointed.”
As state legislators contemplate whether or not and the way to prolong mayoral management of the town’s faculties, parents have demanded extra enter and accountability.
On the rally in Queens in assist of Composto, Group Schooling Council member Deb Alexander mentioned 3,000 individuals have signed a petition in assist of Composto, and tons of of individuals attended a digital rally Thursday evening. “We love our superintendent, we want him to stay and we want an honest voice in this process,” she mentioned.