Kamar Samuels
Coverage of Kamar Samuels in the Nexus archive.
- Kamar Samuels asks NYC schools to pause software purchases until AI guidance is final
New York City schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels has asked principals to pause educational software purchases until final AI guidance is released later this summer. The freeze follows criticism of initial AI guidelines and a push for a moratorium by parents, educators, and over half of City Council members. Officials delayed the revised guidance and face challenges tracking AI software usage across schools.
- As Mamdani Focuses on Childcare, Some Experts Question His K-12 Priorities
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has prioritized childcare, transportation, and housing in his first six months in office, but K-12 public education has received minimal attention, with only 11 press releases and one new policy affecting classrooms. Experts and education advocates question his focus on K-12 schools, which constitute a major portion of the city's government operations.
- What’s Mamdani’s agenda for K-12 education in NYC? 6 months in, it’s hard to say.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has focused on childcare, transportation, and housing in his first six months, but K-12 education has received minimal attention, with only 11 education-related press releases and one policy continuation. Education advocates question his engagement with the city's public schools.
- NYC Delays School AI Guidance After Backlash
New York City officials delayed the release of AI guidance for schools after backlash to a March draft policy. The policy, initially set for June release, will now be published this summer due to public concerns and over 6,500 comments. The draft proposed a traffic light framework for AI use but excluded student AI use, sparking criticism from parents and council members worried about learning and mental health impacts.
- NYC delays school AI guidance after backlash
New York City education officials delayed the release of AI guidelines for schools due to backlash over their March draft policy. The delay follows nearly 6,500 public comments and concerns from City Council members about AI's impact on learning and mental health, with final guidance now expected this summer.
- Mamdani eyeing chancellor replacements for scandal-plagued Kamar Samuels: sources
The Mamdani administration is considering replacements for New York City Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels, who is facing scandals. Sources indicate the administration is actively seeking new candidates for the position.
- Allegations against Kamar Samuels highlight widespread dysfunction in NYC’s school contract system
Allegations against NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels involve violating contracting rules by bypassing competitive bidding processes. The controversy highlights systemic flaws in the Education Department’s procurement system, which critics describe as slow and bureaucratic. Mayor Zohran Mamdani faces pressure to address the issue while publicly supporting Samuels.
- Samuels turns to local communities for advice on making NYC schools safe, rigorous, and integrated
Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels is forming local working groups with parents, teachers, and community organizations to address structural and instructional inequities in New York City schools. The groups aim to develop solutions for systemic issues like segregation and underenrollment, reflecting Samuels' commitment to community-driven policymaking.
- Mayor Mamdami visits Mosholu Montefiore Community Center to help parents enroll in 2-K
Mayor Zohran Mamdani visited the Mosholu-Montefiore Community Center in the Bronx to assist families with enrolling in the 2-K program, a pilot initiative offering early childhood education to 2,000 families in high-need school zones. The program aims to provide economic relief to working-class families by reducing childcare costs, with testimonials highlighting its impact on parents like Norwood resident Nikki Brown.
- NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels a ‘dead man walking’ after being grilled over no-bid contracts
NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels faces scrutiny over no-bid contracts, with an elected official demanding his removal after an investigation was revealed. Insiders indicate City Hall is considering action against him.
- NYC Public Schools roll out class size plan to meet state mandates. Here’s what it means for students and parents.
NYC Public Schools announced a 2027 Class Size Reduction Plan with a $1.5 billion investment in school expansions to meet state mandates requiring smaller class sizes. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and School Chancellor Kamar Samuels emphasized partnerships with City Hall, the State, and Unions to address space constraints and reduce student-teacher ratios to no more than 25 students per class.
- NYC plans new school spaces, teachers to comply with class size law as enrollment drops
New York City plans to create new school spaces and hire additional teachers to comply with class size laws as student enrollment declines. A recent education department report avoids imposing enrollment caps at popular schools.
- Kamar Samuels swimming waist-deep in NYC schools’ corrupt waste
Kamar Samuels is involved in a personal scandal and a systemic issue within NYC schools. The article highlights both individual and institutional corruption.
- Mamdani admin rocked by claims of ‘rigged investigation’ into NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels
New York City's Department of Education's independent watchdog faces accusations of rigging an investigation into Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. The probe centers on a $180,000 no-bid contract he signed with an unapproved vendor during his tenure as a district superintendent.
- NYC set to save millions in delayed class-size mandates for public schools – but at what cost?
New York City will save $500 million by delaying class-size reduction mandates for public schools, but critics warn the extension may exacerbate inequities in education. The state postponed the deadline by two years, allowing the city to avoid immediate investments in staffing and construction, though concerns remain about how resources will be distributed to ensure equitable compliance.
- Big splash! Three new swimming pools open at public high schools in Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx
Three new swimming pools opened at public high schools in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, with over $55 million invested by the NYC School Construction Authority to modernize aquatic facilities. The projects include renovations at James Monroe Educational Campus, George Washington Educational Campus, and Samuel J. Tilden Educational Campus, enhancing access to physical education and water safety programs.
- Why NYC school budgets won’t be cut, at least for now, in cases of lower enrollment
New York City schools will retain their budgets for the 2026-27 school year despite declining enrollment, continuing a 'hold harmless' policy started during the pandemic. The policy, which has cost $1.6 billion over six years, aims to provide stability but faces criticism for disproportionately benefiting schools with the most student losses.
- NYC school budgets won’t face cuts next year (for now) despite falling enrollment
New York City schools will not face budget cuts for the 2026-27 school year despite declining enrollment, as Chancellor Kamar Samuels extends the 'hold harmless' policy initiated during the pandemic. The policy, which has cost $1.6 billion over six years, aims to maintain stability for schools even as enrollment drops below 800,000 students, with experts divided on its long-term effects.
- NYC public schools will not be hit with budget cuts next year, Mamdani says
NYC public schools will not face budget cuts next year, with funding remaining steady or potentially increasing despite a 10% enrollment drop over six years. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Chancellor Kamar Samuels emphasized maintaining or boosting financial support to ensure stability for students and educators.
- Probers looking at shady contracts signed by NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels: DOE ‘at DEFCON 1’
New York City Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels is under investigation for signing shady no-bid contracts. Probers are considering criminal charges against him if City Hall does not conceal the issue.
- NYC Schools chancellor makes whopping $363K — more than Mayor Mamdani: source
New York City Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels earns $363,000 annually, surpassing the salary of Mayor Mamdani by over $100,000 and making him the city's highest-paid employee. The information was reported by The Post.
- Kamar Samuels and deputy’s improper DOE contracts ultimately led to perv teacher in NYC schools during investigation
A perv teacher's misconduct led to the exposure of corruption involving New York City Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels and a deputy through improper DOE contracts during an investigation.
- NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels signed improper $180K contract with unapproved vendor — and let his deputy take the fall
NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels signed a $180,000 no-bid contract with a non-Department of Education-approved vendor, splitting payments between his two companies to conceal the arrangement. Investigators allegedly covered up the improper contract.
- NYC Chancellor Kamar Samuels pledges stronger AI guardrails: ‘We missed the mark’
NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels acknowledged the Education Department's failure to address public concerns about AI in schools and pledged stricter restrictions for young students. The department faces backlash over its draft AI guidance, which critics say inadequately protects children from AI risks.
- Mamdani's education plan's 'lack of merit' could fundamentally change student outcomes: GOP leader warns
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's education plan, which includes phasing out gifted and talented programs, faces criticism from GOP leader Forte, who argues it prioritizes racial equity over merit, leading to declining academic standards. Forte warns the plan could harm students by lowering test scores and expectations, while also expressing concerns over curriculum changes and teacher union influence.
- Mamdani's education plan's 'lack of merit' could fundamentally change student outcomes: GOP leader warns
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's education plan, which includes phasing out gifted and talented programs, faces criticism from GOP leader Forte, who warns it will lower academic standards and prioritize race-based equity over merit. Critics argue the policy will harm student outcomes and undermine educational quality.