There seems to be some movement within Mamdani’s administration as they consider potential replacements for New York City Schools Chancellor Kamal Samuels, amid ongoing scandals, according to multiple sources.
City Hall officials have started to evaluate internal candidates following a significant report from the Post, revealing that Samuels sidestepped Department of Education procurement policies by signing a no-bid contract worth $180,000 with an unauthorized vendor, as noted by a senior DOE official.
“The DOE was quite busy over the weekend. There’s a lot of pressure to resolve this issue,” the official mentioned.
It appears that former Energy Minister Maisha Ross Porter, who had a brief tenure from 2021 to 2022, is being considered to fill Samuels’ position.
“The Knicks’ appeal is diminishing, so there’s a pressing need to tackle this situation,” another City Hall source remarked.
Porter, now 51, has reportedly been actively trying to regain her old post, ramping up her efforts following the Post’s disclosures, according to city officials.
According to sources, she often frequents Tweed as a lobbyist and is frequently discussing Samuels, who seems unaware of the trouble brewing.
Interestingly, the former chancellor once celebrated his appointment as Bronx superintendent with an extravagant $45,000 gala in 2019. Recently, Porter shared on LinkedIn that she attended a state university savings account event alongside Samuels and New York City Council President Julie Menin.
Although she was nearly elected as prime minister in January, reports indicate that Mamdani’s team was concerned due to issues stemming from a financial scandal at her nonprofit organization.
In 2024, Porter was dismissed from her position at the Bronx Community Foundation, which focuses on combating inequalities in the Bronx, where she was earning $300,000 annually, following allegations of serious financial mismanagement.
The nonprofit reportedly managed to distribute less than 25% of the $12.6 million it raised from 2019 to 2023, leading to the firing of several executives once these figures became public in 2024.
If Samuels is let go, City Hall officials mentioned that Lindsay Oates, the DOE’s deputy director of finance, administration, and human resources, could also be considered for the role.
She previously functioned as chief financial officer for New York City Schools during the de Blasio administration and developed a strong connection with First Deputy Mayor Dean Freihan, who is currently under Mamdani’s administration as well.
Freihan has been more actively involved in addressing the DOE situation on behalf of Mamdani, particularly in light of the current scandal surrounding Samuels.
Officials noted that whoever is chosen will undoubtedly deserve some congratulations.
Reports suggest that Mamdani’s frustration with Samuels is mounting as the chancellor struggles to effectively manage the city’s largest institution.
A DOE official remarked, “Mr. Mamdani passed over multiple qualified candidates because he didn’t receive the assurance he wanted. Mr. Samuels has misled his superiors to attain his position, and this trend continues.”
During a recent Education Policy Committee meeting, when a Post reporter caught sight of Samuels in the hallway, he hurried to the restroom, avoiding questions about the questionable contract he signed. Currently, there is an investigation into his actions by a special committee.
When questioned about the vetting of Samuels’ potential replacement, a City Hall official asserted, “This is completely and unequivocally false.”
