As the new academic year commences across New York City, educational leaders gathered to address critical questions and concerns directly from parents during the annual Back to School Town Hall. The forum provided families with an opportunity to hear directly from top administrators responsible for overseeing the largest public school system in the United States.
The televised and streamed broadcast was hosted by Eyewitness News and moderated by morning anchors Shirleen Allicot and Pedro Rivera. The session brought together the district's newly appointed chancellor alongside senior executive leadership to discuss a wide range of topics spanning academic instruction, inclusive learning, safety protocols, and early childhood care.
At the center of the panel was New York City Public Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels, who assumed leadership of the school system in 2026. A seasoned educator with more than two decades of dedicated experience in the field, Chancellor Samuels also brings the perspective of an active public school parent to his role as head of the massive municipal district.
Throughout the discussion, Chancellor Samuels emphasized his commitment to the fundamental priorities required to foster successful school communities. His professional background has centered on elevating student achievement, reinforcing instructional standards, and cultivating learning environments that are academically challenging, secure, and genuinely integrated across all five boroughs.
Chancellor Samuels underscored the importance of ensuring that local schools mirror the distinctive character of New York City itself. He highlighted a vision where diverse student populations engage in learning experiences rooted in cultural understanding and mutual respect, while ensuring that all children receive the necessary support to prepare them for higher education, future careers, and adult life.
Supporting the Chancellor in systemwide administration is First Deputy Chancellor Danielle Giunta, who also participated in the broadcast. With more than 20 years of experience managing instruction, operations, and community partnerships within the school system, Giunta plays a central role in driving institutional improvement across the district.
Giunta's extensive administrative portfolio covers several vital operational divisions within New York City Public Schools. Her responsibilities include the oversight of District Planning, Enrollment, New School Development & Design, Policy & Evaluation, Academics & Instruction, and the Student Pathways initiative designed to guide pupils through their educational journeys.
In addition to programmatic oversight, Giunta directly manages the support and leadership development of the city's 44 community and high school superintendents. Through this structure, her office works to deliver coordinated strategic direction and districtwide consistency to school leaders across every neighborhood.
The town hall also highlighted the district's ongoing efforts to support specialized learning needs through Christina Foti, Deputy Chancellor of the Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning. Foti leads the division tasked with ensuring that vulnerable and diverse student groups receive tailored educational resources and comprehensive institutional support.
Demographic realities within the district place Foti’s division at the core of the school system's broader educational mission. Nearly four in ten students enrolled in New York City Public Schools are classified as multilingual learners, students with disabilities, or individuals navigating both designations simultaneously.
To address these needs, Foti oversees key offices including the Special Education Office, the Office of Multilingual Learners, and District 75, which provides specialized instructional support. Her purview also encompasses the administrative bodies responsible for developing tailored educational plans, specifically the Committees on Special Education and the Committees on Preschool Special Education.
School climate and physical security were addressed by Mark Rampersant, Chief of Safety and Prevention Partnerships. Bringing over 25 years of administrative leadership within New York City Public Schools, Rampersant is responsible for directing the comprehensive safety network that protects students and staff across hundreds of school buildings.
Rampersant's office manages multifaceted systems that extend beyond traditional physical security to include behavioral health initiatives, formal threat assessments, and gang prevention and intervention programs. His leadership also addresses modern risks through cyber safety policies, while integrating restorative practices designed to strengthen overall school climate.
According to the district's safety framework, Rampersant focuses on establishing standardized operational protocols and ensuring synchronized incident responses across the city. His administrative strategy relies on data-informed, proactive measures designed to balance institutional accountability with compassionate care for the school community.
Early childhood education was represented by Emmy Liss, Executive Director for the Mayor's Office of Child Care. Liss brings more than a decade of specialized expertise in early childhood policy, having focused her career on designing and executing large-scale childcare frameworks throughout the city.
Liss emphasized the significance of interagency coordination and strategic planning to build accessible, equitable early education structures. Her ongoing leadership within municipal policy continues to help shape foundational childcare initiatives, ensuring younger children and working families are supported before entering the primary school system.
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