It’s time to meet NYC’s newest cohort of superintendents.
After months of interviews and community conversations, Chancellor David Banks recently announced the 45 new and returning district superintendents who are overseeing and supporting City public school districts across the five boroughs as of July 1, 2022. Each of the newly-appointed district superintendents is, much like the students they serve, representative of a diverse cross-section of experiences in public schools, and all are committed to putting students and families at the core of our City’s schools. All 45 superintendents are current or former City public school educators who in their prior roles were principals, deputy superintendents, and current superintendents, among others.
“We promised our students bold action, and each of these leaders is prepared to step into this newly reimagined role of superintendent to deliver on that promise. For families and community partners, each of these leaders understands that they will be held accountable for partnering with you to meet the needs of your community and improve the school experience of our students,” said Chancellor David Banks during an introductory event held late last month.
Every superintendent who was selected had to undergo an open hiring process led by the Deputy Chancellor of School Leadership, Dr. Desmond K. Blackburn, that allowed current superintendents to apply alongside both new internal and external candidates. And for the first time ever, this year’s hiring process included community town halls where families heard from finalists, asked questions, and provided feedback. Following the town halls, Community Education Councils (CECs), Presidents’ Councils, and union representatives from the United Federation of Teachers, the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, and District Council 37 all participated in the C-37 superintendent selection process mandated by our Chancellor’s Regulations. Together, this feedback from City parents, union partners, and community members, helped inform Chancellor Banks’ final hiring decisions while weighing each school district’s particular needs.
Superintendents will be responsible for making sure that each school in their district is welcome and responsive to all members of their communities. For families, that means superintendents are responsible for ensuring that their students are fully supported — whether that means, for example, that communications go home in families’ home languages, school busing issues are addressed, and services for students with disabilities and multilingual learners are in place as needed. Superintendents also cultivate relationships with community leaders, including parent groups, councils, elected officials, local businesses, and community organizations to help establish the full support of their entire districts for their local public schools.
Throughout the remainder of the summer, every superintendent will engage in a “Listening and Learning Tour” in their districts to connect with students, parents, school leaders, educators, and local community members and listen to their recommendations for improving schools. Additionally, superintendents will build out their school support teams and guide the creation of District Comprehensive Education Plans. Their primary goal entering the fall season is ensuring every school is prepared and supported for a strong start to the 2022–23 school year.
”The role of a superintendent comes with a tremendous responsibility to our students and families, form improving student outcomes to providing support where families need it most. I am thrilled to work alongside this class of incredible leaders as we engage with our communities, build out our plans for the upcoming school year, and most importantly—transform what it means to be a superintendent."
Desmond K. BlackburnDeputy Chancellor for School Leadership
We’re anticipating great things out of this year’s cohort of district superintendents! To learn more about each of our district leaders, visit our “District Leadership” page for bios, contact information, and more!
On behalf of the DOE, we congratulate this year’s superintendents, and wish them great success in the weeks and months to come!
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