Almost 50% of NYC teachers don’t trust embattled DOE Chancellor David Banks: survey

Georgia Worrell, Deirdre Bardolf
current DOE Chancellor David Banks and former DOE Chancellor Richard A. Carranza
current DOE Chancellor David Banks and former DOE Chancellor Richard A. Carranza

A troubling 46% of New York City public school teachers said they do not trust schools Chancellor David Banks, according to a survey.

The disturbing figures from discontented educators were gathered in a city-wide survey administered February through April — well before Banks became a target of the sweeping federal probes plaguing Mayor Adams’ administration.

Nearly 50% of responding teachers disagreed with the statement, “I trust the Chancellor at his word.”

A troubling 46% of New York City public school teachers said they do not trust schools Chancellor David Banks, according to a survey. Kevin C. Downs for NY Post
A troubling 46% of New York City public school teachers said they do not trust schools Chancellor David Banks, according to a survey. Kevin C. Downs for NY Post
Last week, federal investigators seized electronic devices from many of Mayor Eric Adams’ top officials, including Banks and his brothers, Phil and Terence. Michael Nigro
Last week, federal investigators seized electronic devices from many of Mayor Eric Adams’ top officials, including Banks and his brothers, Phil and Terence. Michael Nigro

When asked how much they agree with the statement, “The Chancellor is an effective manager who makes the NYC DOE run smoothly,” a whopping 43% responded negatively.

Overall, 32% of teachers reported dissatisfaction with Banks’ leadership, up from 30% last year.

In 2019, under former Chancellor Richard Carranza, 17% said they were dissatisfied.

Only 17% of teachers were dissatisfied with former Chancellor Richard Carranza — 15% less than those dissatisfied with Chancellor David Banks. Brigitte Stelzer
Only 17% of teachers were dissatisfied with former Chancellor Richard Carranza — 15% less than those dissatisfied with Chancellor David Banks. Brigitte Stelzer
Tova Plaut (second to right) said the discontented teachers’ dissatisfaction comes as no surprise. Gregory P. Mango
Tova Plaut (second to right) said the discontented teachers’ dissatisfaction comes as no surprise. Gregory P. Mango

“The chancellor has forgotten what a classroom looks like,” one NYC educator told The Post. “He’s more a bureaucratic politician than he is a school leader.”

Teachers point to Banks’ response to antisemitism in schools following the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, as well as the rollout of “disastrous” and “snooze-fest” curricula like Into Reading and Illustrative Math, which were implemented without teacher input.

Tova Plaut, an educator and founder of the NYC Public Schools Alliance, a group of teachers speaking out against antisemitism, said the harsh reviews come as no surprise to those who have experienced hate in the school system.

“He mismanaged the response initially, and the follow up was not effective or meaningful,” she said. “Educators are losing their trust in him because he has not been effective in ensuring basic safety for students and educators.”

Last week, federal investigators seized electronic devices from many of Mayor Eric Adams’ top officials, including Banks and his brothers, Phil and Terence, in what sources have called a corruption and influence peddling probe by prosecutors in the Southern District of New York.

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