Current:Home > InvestNYC schools boss to step down later this year after federal agents seized his devices -AssetScope
NYC schools boss to step down later this year after federal agents seized his devices
View
Date:2025-04-25 19:34:05
NEW YORK (AP) — The head of New York City’s public schools system, David Banks, said Tuesday that he will step down at the end of the calendar year, becoming the latest high-ranking departure from Mayor Eric Adams’ administration amid escalating federal criminal investigations.
The decision comes weeks after federal agents seized Banks’ phones, as well as devices belonging to the city’s police commissioner, two deputy mayors and a top Adams adviser. The police commissioner, Edward Caban, resigned earlier this month.
In a retirement letter shared with The Associated Press, Banks said he informed the mayor this summer of his plan to step down “after ensuring the school year got off to a good start.”
A former teacher, principal and founder of a network of all-boys public schools, Banks has led the city’s public school system, the nation’s largest, since Adams took office in 2022.
The resignation letter made no reference to the multiple ongoing federal investigations involving senior Adams aides, relatives of those aides, campaign fundraising and possible influence peddling.
Adams said in a statement he was “immensely grateful and proud” for what Banks had achieved over his years leading the school system.
Banks’ brother, Philip, is a former police officer who now serves as the city’s deputy mayor for public safety. Their brother Terence, a former supervisor in the city’s subway system, has been running a consulting firm that promised to connect clients with top government stakeholders.
Earlier this month, federal investigators seized phones from all three Banks brothers, as well as several other high-ranking city officials.
David Banks shares a home in Harlem with his partner, Sheena Wright, the first deputy mayor, whose devices were also seized. He previously declined to talk about the search, telling reporters: “I can’t answer those questions.”
Federal prosecutors have declined to discuss the investigations publicly.
Banks’ announcement comes as Adams is already contending with several other high-profile departures. Earlier this month, his top legal adviser, Lisa Zornberg, resigned abruptly, releasing a brief letter noting she had “concluded that I can no longer effectively serve in my position.” The city’s health commissioner, Dr. Ashwin Vasan, will also step down at the end of the year.
At a press conference Tuesday, Adams dismissed the idea his administration was facing an exodus as a result of the federal inquiries.
“Employees and staffers come and go,” he said. “Very few remain throughout an entire term.”
When Adams, a Democrat, appointed David Banks as chancellor, he heralded his friend as a “visionary, leader, innovator, who has spent his career fighting on behalf of students.”
Banks founded the Eagle Academy in 2004 to educate young Black and Latino boys who he believed were often poorly served by the educational system.
Before his appointment as schools chancellor, Banks ran the foundation that raises funds for the six Eagle Academy schools, one in each New York City borough and one in Newark, New Jersey.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- These Cast Reunions at the 2023 SAG Awards Will Have You in Your Feels
- Immigrants have helped change how America eats. Now they dominate top culinary awards
- If you don't love the 3D movie experience, you're not alone
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- U.S. intelligence review says very unlikely foreign adversary is behind Havana Syndrome
- Actor Treat Williams, star of 'Hair' and 'Everwood', is killed in a motorcycle crash
- 'Wait Wait' for June 10, 2023: With Not My Job guest Radhika Jones
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- He once had motor skill challenges. Now he's the world's fastest Rubik's cube solver
Ranking
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Tina Turner's happy ending
- 'Succession' season 4, episode 9: 'Church and State'
- The U.S. says it wants to rejoin UNESCO after exiting during the Trump administration
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Robert Gottlieb, celebrated editor of Toni Morrison and Robert Caro, has died at 92
- Pain and pleasure do the tango in the engrossing new novel 'Kairos'
- The MixtapE! Presents The Weeknd, Halsey, Logic and More New Music Musts
Recommendation
'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
That Headband You've Seen in Every TikTok Tutorial Is Only $8
Bethenny Frankel Details Struggle With POTS Syndrome After Receiving Comments About Her Appearance
Vanity Fair's Radhika Jones talks Rupert Murdoch and Little House on the Prairie
$73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
Indonesia landslide leaves dozens missing, at least 11 dead
'Never Have I Ever' is the show we wish we had in high school
You Have to See Harry Shum Jr.'s Fashion Nod to Everything Everywhere at 2023 SAG Awards