City Schools Superintendent David Banks has ousted the undersecretary for education, who was in charge of promoting reading, his specialty, after he allegedly complained about being paid less than his male companion. What we learned a few months later was revealed in a report in the Post.
Chancellor Banks sent an email to city school superintendents Monday morning informing them that Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Caroline Quintana, was resigning in what amounts to a major shake-up in leadership, and that she would remain in the role until the end. “I readily agreed,” he said. of the school year to “support the transition.”
But sources with knowledge of the matter told the Post that Quintana was disciplined and then “warned to keep quiet” about the move.
She does not have another job, but will remain on the payroll through the end of the school year, although her responsibilities will be stripped, officials said.
“The first chancellor, Dan Weisberg, gave her an ultimatum: If she kept quiet about this, she would leave on good terms. If this became a big issue, the situation That’s going to change,” the source said.
Her dismissal is likely related to internal turmoil, including a pay discrepancy, with Banks complaining in the fall that her former leadership deputy, Desmond Blackburn, makes $265,000 a year. told the Post at the time.
Quintana, who led Banks’ flagship initiative to improve the way children are taught to read, and the two other female vice chancellors at the Education Department earned $241,000.
“Mr Weisberg wanted Weisberg to step down because he complained that as a female deputy prime minister he was being paid less than a male deputy prime minister at the time,” the first source said on Monday.
“She spoke up. She challenged him. She was speaking up for herself and for other female deputy prime ministers who are not paid as much as male deputy prime ministers.
“She never got a raise. Instead, she was shown the door.”
After only a year of live performances, Blackburn quit and was replaced by Danica Lux.
According to Banks’ email, Lacks is expected to take over Quintana’s responsibilities as the DOE ramps up its efforts on the NYC Reads initiative.
Mia Teresa Pate, head of school support, will serve as interim executive director and lead ‘teaching and learning’, the Prime Minister said.
“Under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Dr. Danica Lux, we are in the process of dissolving the Department of Teaching and Learning and integrating its operations into the Department of School Leadership,” Banks’ email said.
“By bringing vast central teaching and learning resources, led by local superintendents, closer to schools, we will accelerate the work of NYC Reads, improve math education, and prepare students for bright starts and bold futures. I believe I will be ready.”
NYC Reads asks city schools to choose from three sets of approved curricula that focus on teaching reading to elementary school students.
The three curricula are aligned with years of research into how children learn to read, often referred to as the science of reading, the DOE said.
Separately, the city required schools to use an approved phonics program along with three reading programs.
“I think this speaks to the fact that his reading career is in turmoil,” a source said of Quintana’s sudden resignation.
Banks’ announcement shocked the entire school.
“Of all the Banks appointees, Quintana was by far the strongest,” a Queens teacher told the Post anonymously on Monday.
“This is a great loss to the administration and to her work in STEM fields for New York City students.
“She’s literally the only one with a brain.”
When contacted by the Post, the DOE would not confirm or deny the allegations that Quintana had been forced out, instead pointing to Banks’ comments in the email.
Quintana did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment. But she released her statement through the DOE, thanking the administration for giving her the opportunity to “lead a historic effort” to put literacy at the forefront.
“As a lifelong educator, I know that the work our team has done over the past two years will impact the future and benefit generations of students,” she said. “Most importantly, I would like to thank the dedicated team in the Department of Teaching and Learning who work tirelessly to improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of students every day.
“It has been an honor to lead you, and I remain your ally in the fight for educational equity. I look forward to supporting this transition.”
