David Banks says it was Mayor Eric Adams' decision to move up retirement timeline
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- Amid City Hall turmoil, there was another bombshell announcement as New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks is stepping down earlier than originally announced.
It comes as Gov. Kathy Hochul is putting pressure on Mayor Eric Adams to clean house as she holds his fate as mayor in her hands.
Banks now plans to leave his post on October 16 and said in a statement Thursday that it was the mayor's decision for him to retire in two weeks.
Last week, Banks announced plans to step down, retiring after 40 years of service. His departure was initially expected to take place at the end of the calendar year.
Melissa Aviles-Ramos, who was announced as the incoming schools chancellor, will take over as the leader of the nation's largest school system.
"I was ready, willing and able to stay in my post until December 31st to conduct a responsible transition for our staff, the mayor has decided to accelerate that timeline," Banks said.
Banks went on to say in a statement that his focus will be on supporting Aviles-Ramos as she assumes the new role.
"I will do everything in my power to ensure that students and teachers do not experience any changes or disruptions during this transition," he said. "I remain deeply grateful to the children and families of New York City whom I've had the great privilege of serving these past 40 years."
The Department of Education released the following statement Thursday:
"Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos and the entire senior leadership team of NYC Public Schools will ensure continued leadership for our 1.1 million students and staff when the transition occurs on October 16. Over the next two weeks, Chancellor Aviles-Ramos will meet with superintendents, central staff, parent leaders, & our union partners. Together, they will strengthen and build on the work of keeping our students safe, teaching them to read, & preparing them for good paying jobs. New York City Public Schools is deeply grateful to the 40 years of service that Chancellor David C. Banks gave to our city, and we are excited to build on his legacy."
Banks was added to a list of abrupt exits as Hochul said she's watching the mayor very closely.
"I'm also working to make sure the key positions, working with the mayor, are filled with people who are going to be responsible, but it is ultimately his decision to make those, and I'm just letting him know that we are monitoring the situation, we expect changes, that's not a secret, and changes are beginning," Hochul said.
One insider told Eyewitness News that Adams needs to prove to the governor and New York's business community that the federal indictments are not impacting his ability to run the city.
Should the mayor resign or be removed from office, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams would become acting mayor ahead of a special election.
Williams has not called on the mayor to resign but he revealed that he has had discussions with the governor.
"The conversation was always about: What do we do to make sure city services move forward? And that's the context I'm having in all of my conversations," Williams said.
Adams was back in court Wednesday as he faces five federal counts of bribery, corruption, wire fraud and accepting donations from foreign nationals.
Federal prosecutors revealed additional charges against the mayor are possible and new defendants are "likely."
One possible new charge is witness tampering, after prosecutors said they have evidence Adams told a witness to lie. Prosecutors said the witness was given "a clear message from the defendant they should not tell the truth to the FBI." Prosecutors are calling it a "significant instance of witness interference."
Adams is expected back in court November 1 and then again in December. While the defense has asked for a speedy trial as early as March, the judge has not set a date.
ALSO READ: Debate emerges over whether Eric Adams should resign as mayor of New York City
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