Controversy Surrounding School Choices of Education President

Kamal Samuels, the president of the school district, has been known to cut talent programs while simultaneously opting for an elite private school for his own son, who is currently 17. His son attended the Browning School on Park Avenue from 2014 to 2020—an institution that charged about $54,150 annually, as noted by Susan Edelman.

Meanwhile, the prime minister’s son went to a notable all-boys school during his early education. At present, he is enrolled in a public high school in Manhattan.

Insiders from the Education Department revealed to Edelman that Samuels, who has three children, might have enrolled his other kids in private institutions had he not aimed for the chancellorship. Notably, a source commented that he was likely focused on his political aspirations for quite some time.

Samuels has publicly stated that expecting middle-class black families to resolve the school integration issue is unfair. According to the source, he feels such responsibility shouldn’t fall on those families, emphasizing he will prioritize his children’s education.

This past hasn’t been fully transparent either; Samuels has not publicly acknowledged that his son was part of a prestigious private school renowned for its “Kinderfirst” program that introduces advanced concepts to young learners.

He’s under the leadership of Mayor Zoran Mamdani, who is pushing to eliminate gifted education programs in public schools for kindergartners. Ironically, during his tenure as superintendent for Brooklyn’s 13th District, Samuels implemented similar cuts to gifted programs, replacing them with the International Baccalaureate curriculum.

On social media, he praised the removal of these programs, suggesting it opens doors for innovation in education.

Critics are calling out the apparent inconsistency in Samuels’ policies. Maud Maron, a former regional education council president, pointed out that public schools would likely perform better if the leaders making decisions were accountable and sent their own children there.

The Browning School is steeped in history, founded in 1888 by John A. Browning, who was an educator aiming to assist notable figures like John D. Rockefeller. Noteworthy alumni include Howard Dean and Jamie Dimon.

The Department of Education has opted not to comment on this matter.