New York City education leaders recently addressed families across the five boroughs during Eyewitness News’ annual Back to School Town Hall, answering critical community inquiries ahead of the start of the new academic term. The public forum, moderated by Eyewitness News This Morning anchors Shirleen Allicot and Pedro Rivera, offered parents direct access to the administration overseeing the nation’s largest public school system.
The televised and digitally streamed discussion brought together key decision-makers from New York City Public Schools and city government to tackle pressing concerns regarding student learning, safety, special education, and early childhood care. Broadcasted to help families prepare for the upcoming year, the town hall highlighted administrative priorities and systemic plans across the district.
At the center of the dialogue was New York City Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels, who assumed leadership of the school system in 2026. A seasoned educator with more than two decades of professional experience in education, Samuels also approaches his leadership through the lens of being an NYCPS parent himself.
During the panel, Samuels emphasized his commitment to the fundamental elements that drive academic success, highlighting deep engagement with classroom teachers, families, and students. His administration has centered its focus on lifting student achievement, bolstering core instructional methods, and maintaining educational environments that are secure, challenging, and fully integrated.
Samuels outlined a broader educational philosophy that views New York City's distinctive cultural diversity as an asset to be embraced in every classroom. According to the chancellor, educational experiences must be anchored in mutual respect and cultural awareness, ensuring that all children are valued, academically challenged, and thoroughly equipped to succeed in higher education, future careers, and daily life.
Joining the chancellor was First Deputy Chancellor Danielle Giunta, who contributes more than twenty years of operational, instructional, and community engagement experience to the central leadership team. Giunta plays a primary role in executing systemic improvements and driving district-wide strategy across the massive educational network.
Giunta’s portfolio encompasses an extensive array of administrative and academic departments. Her responsibilities include the direct oversight of District Planning, Enrollment, New School Development & Design, Policy & Evaluation, Student Pathways, and Academics & Instruction, ensuring these divisions align with the school system's broader educational objectives.
Additionally, Giunta oversees the district’s 44 community and high school superintendents. Through this supervisory role, she guides leadership development and targeted operational support across local districts, establishing standard practices while addressing the unique requirements of various school communities.
Inclusive education was another major focus of the town hall, represented by Christina Foti, Deputy Chancellor of the Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning. Foti’s work addresses the needs of a substantial portion of the student population, with multilingual learners and students with disabilities—or children who fall into both categories—comprising nearly four out of every ten students enrolled in the school system.
Foti directs several crucial branches within NYCPS, including the Special Education Office, the Office of Multilingual Learners, and District 75 specialized programs. Her responsibilities also extend to the governance of both the Committees on Special Education and the Committees on Preschool Special Education, which manage evaluation and placement processes.
Given the significant proportion of students requiring specialized services, Foti emphasized that the work of the Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning remains foundational to the district’s overall mission. The division is charged with guaranteeing that all students have meaningful access to high-quality, inclusive educational settings that meet their specific learning requirements.
Addressing widespread parental focus on school security and student well-being, Mark Rampersant, Chief of Safety and Prevention Partnerships, detailed the district's comprehensive safety infrastructure. Rampersant brings more than 25 years of leadership experience within the city's public school system to the role.
Rampersant’s office manages a multi-faceted network that balances physical building security with behavioral health initiatives, threat assessments, cyber safety, and gang prevention and intervention programs. His division is also responsible for cultivating a positive school climate and implementing restorative practices designed to resolve conflicts constructively.
According to Rampersant, the district’s safety apparatus relies on clear emergency protocols and coordinated incident responses to manage evolving challenges. His approach emphasizes proactive, data-informed intervention strategies that blend institutional accountability with comprehensive student care.
Early learning was also spotlighted through the participation of Emmy Liss, Executive Director for the Mayor’s Office of Child Care. Liss brings more than a decade of experience in early childhood policy development, having previously designed and executed major initiatives across New York City.
Liss discussed efforts to build equitable and accessible childcare systems through strategic cross-agency collaboration and sustained operational leadership. Her office works in coordination with education officials to ensure that high-quality foundational learning opportunities remain available to families across the city as the new school year commences.
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