Melissa Aviles-Ramos seeks retention but may face competition for top education position
Mayor-Elect Faces Critical Education Leadership Decision
As Zohran Mamdani transitions into City Hall, one of his most significant personnel decisions involves whether to retain Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos or pursue a change in leadership for the city’s 900,000-student system. The chancellor has signaled her desire to continue serving under the new mayor, while Mamdani has met with her and spoken positively about her work without committing to her retention. This ambiguity reflects the tension between maintaining momentum in education policy and implementing the mayor-elect’s own vision for public schools. The decision will carry enormous consequences for teachers, students, parents, and the city’s approach to education equity.
Aviles-Ramos Builds Case for Retention
Aviles-Ramos, who took the helm in October 2024 succeeding David Banks, has compiled a respectable first-year record. Math and English Language Arts proficiency scores rose significantly in the first grades three through eight cohorts since 2024. Math proficiency increased 3.4 points to reach 56.9 percent, while ELA proficiency climbed 7.2 points to 56.3 percent in 2025. These gains occurred across racial and ethnic groups. Asian students in math rose 1.1 points to 80.8 percent proficiency, White students increased 2.8 points to 75.1 percent, Black students gained 4.6 points to 43 percent, and Hispanic students rose 3.4 points to 43.1 percent. In ELA, Asian students gained 4.9 points to 74.9 percent, White students rose 7.3 points to 73.1 percent, Black students jumped 8.3 points to 47 percent, and Hispanic students increased 7.1 points to 43.5 percent. United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew specifically acknowledged Aviles-Ramos for fighting Department of Education bureaucracy to prioritize student and school community needs. She has expanded initiatives like NYC Reads and NYC Solves while implementing Student Pathways programs and launching NYCPS Cares to address systemic inequities.
Aviles-Ramos’ Path to Leadership and Educator Credentials
Before becoming chancellor, Aviles-Ramos built a career entirely within education. She began as a Teaching Fellow and English teacher at Truman High School in the Bronx in 2007. She later became principal of Schuylerville Preparatory High School, where she increased graduation rates from 23 percent in her first year to 83 percent by her second year. She has held multiple senior positions within the Department of Education, including senior executive director of program implementation, chief of staff under Chancellor David Banks, and deputy chancellor of family and community engagement and external affairs. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts from Fordham University and a Master of Arts from CUNY City College. She is the mother of a middle school student in the public school system, giving her skin in the game as both an educator and a parent.
Mamdani Signals Cautious Support Without Commitment
When asked about Aviles-Ramos by reporters, Mamdani has offered measured praise. He told Spectrum News NY1 that he had met with the chancellor and appreciated her work, but made clear he would assess her and everyone else in the Adams administration based on their results. He stated that he thought she had been doing a good job when discussing her recruitment of new teachers. However, he has not publicly committed to her retention, leaving room for other candidates to be considered. Mamdani has already replaced numerous Adams appointees, signaling that he is not bound by continuity alone.
Possible Alternative Candidates and Selection Criteria
Observers have suggested former Chancellor Meisha Ross Porter as a possible alternative, though Aviles-Ramos has built support among some constituencies. The decision may hinge on how closely Aviles-Ramos’s educational philosophy aligns with Mamdani’s vision. During the campaign, the mayor-elect emphasized reducing mayoral control over schools and expanding community voice in education governance. He wants schools to be more responsive to neighborhood needs rather than top-down directives from City Hall. Aviles-Ramos does emphasize working with communities and teachers, which could align with this vision.
Larger Context: Time to Implement Change
The New York City school system serves approximately 906,000 students in 2024-2025, with 42.3 percent Hispanic, 19.3 percent Black, 18.7 percent Asian and Pacific Islander, 16.1 percent White, 2 percent multiracial, and 1.2 percent Native American enrollment. About 75 percent are economically disadvantaged. Chronic absenteeism remains high, gaps persist in reading and math proficiency, and enrollment continues to shrink. These challenges require leadership that can work both within existing systems and push for transformation. Aviles-Ramos has demonstrated competence with existing systems. Whether Mamdani believes she can also drive the transformative change he envisions remains unclear. The decision will come relatively soon, as the school year is already underway and teachers and administrators need clarity about leadership direction.
