New York City Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels outlined several key priorities for the city’s public schools in a report released Monday, drawing on input gathered during a series of community engagement sessions earlier this year. The report does not include detailed funding proposals but sets broad goals for the coming years.
Among the chancellor’s main focus areas is improving school bus services. Samuels noted that many of the city’s current bus contracts have remained largely unchanged for nearly 50 years. He described the need to overhaul these agreements as urgent, aiming to “fix broken school bus contracts once and for all” to ensure safe transportation for students, particularly during times when violence is more likely to occur outside of regular school hours.
Mental health support is another priority highlighted in the report. Samuels pledged to expand services to address students’ wellbeing comprehensively. This commitment aligns with the growing recognition of mental health as a critical aspect of students’ academic success and overall development.
The report also emphasized broadening opportunities for high school students to gain “real-world skills” and begin earning college credits while still in school. In addition, Samuels committed to opening more educational programs for students with disabilities closer to their home communities, aiming to improve accessibility and inclusivity within the system.
Other ongoing priorities reaffirmed in the report include universal childcare availability, curriculum reforms focused on English and math, community-driven integration initiatives, and efforts to reduce class sizes. These areas have been central to Samuels’ agenda since he took office midway through the current academic year.
Samuels convened 10 public engagement sessions from January through April, holding two meetings in each borough. Approximately 1,300 individuals—including students, parents, and teachers—participated, providing feedback that shaped the chancellor’s proposed direction.
“To truly lead our schools, I wanted to listen to the thoughts, ideas, and real concerns of the people who know them best,” Samuels said in a statement accompanying the report. “Your voices have given us a clear roadmap. Thank you for your partnership. Let’s keep working together, hand in hand, to lift up our children.”
The report underscores the chancellor’s approach of balancing immediate operational needs with longer-term strategic planning as he continues to shape the future of New York City’s public education system.