After Pressure From Families And Western Queens Elected Officials, Mayor & DOE Reverse Themselves And Allow Superintendents To Interview For Their Jobs With Community Input

ASTORIA, N.Y. – Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, Assembly Members Zohran Mamdani, Brian Barnwell, and Cathy Nolan, and Council Members Tiffany Cabán and Julie Won learned that the Department of Education decided, after intense pressure from local officials and families, to give all district superintendents the opportunity to reapply and interview for their positions. The western Queens community learned this week that Dr. Phil Composto, of District 30, would not be invited to participate in the final interview round, the only one in which the public is allowed any input.

 “I am pleased the Mayor and Chancellor listened to our community and are giving the public a chance to be heard as these superintendents go through the process,” said Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris. “I appreciate that the entire school community banded together and because of our united efforts, we were able to affect change.”

Assembly Member Zohran K. Mamdani said, “The Mayor and the Chancellor’s latest decision is a testament to the collective power of our district’s teachers, students, parents, and principals. Together, thousands of us called for Dr. Composto to have the chance to present his candidacy in front of our school community and now, that is what we will get.”

Assembly Member Brian Barnwell said, “The DOE made the right choice opening the interview process and including existing superintendents. We need to make sure before decisions of this magnitude are made the public has a say, and I encourage everyone to participate in CEC 30’s upcoming town hall.”

Assembly Member Cathy Nolan said, “I am so grateful to Mayor Eric Adams and Chancellor David Banks for listening to the voices of parents in New York City School Districts 24 and 30. It is very important that outstanding, collaborative leaders and educators like Dr. Composto and Ms. Taub-Chan be given every opportunity to continue in their service. I am now hopeful that, due to the respectful attention given to parent voices, there will be more positive outcomes for our children.”

Council Member Tiffany Cabán said, “I am relieved to hear that District 30’s long-time superintendent will be given an opportunity to move forward in the public engagement part of the hiring process. The person who serves in this role has an enormous responsibility—not only to our district’s students, teachers, parents, and administrators—but to the broader District 30 community. Due to the strong organizing partnership between our district’s school community, elected officials, and labor unions, we were able to ensure that the current superintendent will be fairly evaluated alongside new candidates. I thank the Chancellor and Department of Education for listening to the voices of community members and reevaluating their decision and look forward to hearing from all of the potential candidates for District 30 superintendent.”

Council Member Julie Won said, “Parents will now be able to have a voice in the choice of leadership for District 30. The community organized quickly and efficiently and I'm glad to see the Mayor reverse his decision” said Council Member Julie Won "Now we must hold them accountable to listen to parents as this process proceeds.”