Mamdani Reverses Stance on NYC Public Schools, Supports Mayoral Control

NEW YORK — New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced Wednesday that he will no longer pursue ending mayoral control of New York City’s public school system, reversing a position he had repeatedly taken during his campaign.

Mamdani stated he now supports maintaining mayoral control while pledging to change how the authority is exercised.

“Though I held concerns about mayoral control, I also know that New Yorkers need to know where the buck stops: with me,” Mamdani said. “My approach to mayoral control will ensure that community involvement is not ceremonial or procedural, but tangible and actionable.”

The mayor-elect said he will ask the New York State Legislature this year to extend his authority over the school system, which has been in place since 2002 under Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

During the campaign, Mamdani argued that mayoral control limited input from teachers, parents, and students. He continued to voice opposition to the system during the final mayoral debates.

This shift marks one of Mamdani’s first major policy reversals before taking office.

Mamdani named Kamar Samuels as schools chancellor. Samuels most recently served as a superintendent in Upper Manhattan and will oversee New York City’s largest school system, which includes more than 1,500 schools and a $40 billion operating budget.

Crystal McQueen-Taylor of StudentsFirstNY praised Mamdani’s decision, calling it “clear leadership and direct responsibility for results.” However, Leonie Haimson of Class Size Matters criticized the reversal, stating that past mayors have promised community input but failed to deliver.