Exclusive | Departing NYC schools chancellor David Banks admits Eric Adams might not stay mayor following indictment

Outgoing schools Chancellor David Banks has confided to city superintendents he doubts that embattled Mayor Adams can remain in power after his indictment, sources told The Post.

Banks called a Zoom meeting with 45 superintendents on Thursday, a day after the U.S. Attorney’s office in Manhattan filed an indictment charging Adams with bribery, fraud and other corruption charges.

 “I don’t know if he can overcome this turmoil. I don’t know if anyone can overcome this,”  a staffer who attended the meeting quoted a somber Banks as telling the district leaders. Adams appointed Banks, a longtime friend and ally, to lead NYC public schools after taking office in January 2022.

But Banks, who stepped down a day before the indictment, insisted that if Adams is removed from office or resigns, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams becomes interim mayor, disruptions would be minimal.

“He reassured us that the work will continue — to stay focused,” the staffer said.

Melissa Aviles-Ramos, whom Adams appointed incoming chancellor on the eve of his indictment, will carry out “the same agenda,” including new citywide reading and math curricula, Banks told the educators.

The superintendents did not speak or ask questions, said the staffer, who called the indictment and investigations swirling around City Hall a big distraction: “We can’t focus on the real work.” 

Aviles-Ramos attended the meeting, but did not speak, the staffer added.

In a celebratory press conference on Wednesday, Adams and Aviles-Ramos embraced.

“Thank you everyone for accepting me and for supporting me. I have your back and we’re gonna get stuff done,” she said, using the mayor’s signature mantra.

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