Chancellor David Banks to depart NYC public schools 2 months early

NEW YORK — New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks is stepping down 2.5 months earlier than his planned retirement, as federal investigations continue to ensnare the administration of Mayor Eric Adams, City Hall announced in a late Wednesday statement.

“It became clear that our students will be best served by having the same leadership through as much of the school year as possible, rather than changing chancellors halfway through,” said Amaris Cockfield, a spokeswoman for Mayor Adams.

Deputy Mayor Melissa Aviles-Ramos — Banks’ former chief of staff who currently oversees family and community engagement — will take over the nation’s largest school system on Oct. 16, Cockfield added.

Two sources familiar with the matter suggested Banks was pushed out by Adams. The mayor was conspicuously absent from Banks’ weekend wedding to First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright; sources tell the Daily News she is also rumored to resign.

The Department of Education referred requests for comment to City Hall. Banks, 62, was planning to leave his post by the end of this year.

“I can’t worry about what the questions are,” Banks said on Fox 5’s Good Morning New York earlier Wednesday. “When it’s time, it’s time. Had a 40-year career, had a lot of impact on the lives of lots of parents and families and our kids. But it was time for me to go, and I can’t be concerned about all those other kinds of questions.”

Banks had his phones seized and Harlem townhouse raided Sept. 4 as part of a federal investigation. Sources said the probe is related to his government consultant brother Terence Banks’ business before the city agencies of his siblings, including Phil Banks, deputy mayor of public safety.

_____