The former Democratic congressman, Jamaal Bowman, who was publicly censured for triggering a Capitol fire alarm and found operating a public school without a valid principals license, is now fervently campaigning to be the next schools chancellor of New York City.
He has promised a "revolution in our public schools" if he is appointed to the position.
As reported by The Post Millennial, Bowman is making significant efforts behind the scenes to secure the position from the Mayor-Elect, Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani's victory as a Democratic socialist has already caused concern among many city parents, particularly those from Jewish families.
Bowman, a former member of the "Squad" in Congress, was a strong supporter of Mamdani's campaign. He has reportedly sought the help of his close ally, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, to lobby the incoming mayor for the chancellor position.
During a Zoom call with the NYC chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, Bowman stated, Im an educator, lifelong educator. When we get universal child care yall, its going to lead to a revolution in our public schools!
He encouraged his comrades to "continue building power," emphasizing that winning the election "gives us and Zohran the right to govern, but it doesnt give us the power." He framed the election as merely the start of a broader ideological push.
Bowman was seen at the SOMOS conference in Puerto Rico, walking with two officials from the United Federation of Teachers. The UFT, which endorsed Mamdani, is expected to heavily influence his education policy.
Bowman often refers to his background as a "lifelong educator," citing his tenure as principal of the Bronx Cornerstone Academy for Social Action from 2009 to 2019. However, state records reveal that his School Building Leader certificate, issued on February 1, 2009, expired on January 31, 2014, and he did not regain certification until December 16, 2015.
This means that for almost two years, Bowman was running a public school without a valid license, in violation of New York law. Additionally, it has been reported that Bowmans own children attend an elite private school in Riverdale that charges between $57,000 and $62,000 per year in tuition, instead of New York City's public schools.
Bowman has been a vocal supporter of the opt-out movement, encouraging parents to prevent their children from taking state exams and describing test refusal as civil disobedience. Critics argue that this undermines accountability and makes it harder to measure student performance in a struggling system.
Bowman's congressional record and past statements have stirred controversy. He was formally censured by the House in 2023 after infamously pulling a fire alarm as lawmakers prepared to vote on a government funding bill, which was seen as a stunt to delay the vote. He has also denied that Hamas raped Israeli women during the October 7 attacks, despite extensive survivor testimony and documentation. Furthermore, he previously spread 9/11 conspiracy theories, suggesting Osama bin Laden was blamed for the attacks to justify the war in Afghanistan.
City University trustee Jeffrey Wiesenfeld, reacting to the possibility of Chancellor Bowman, warned, This is beyond evil, all New Yorkers have something to worry about here, but especially Jews.
Bowman is one of at least five candidates for schools chancellor. The current schools chancellor, Melissa Aviles-Ramos, is the citys highest-paid employee at $414,799 a year. She wants to stay on and touts herself as a New York City public school mom, but critics note that despite modest test score gains, aided by lowered passing thresholds, two-thirds of city students remain not proficient in reading or math.
City Councilwoman Rita Joseph, a longtime teacher who now chairs the Councils education committee, lacks the required certifications and would need a waiver. She drew fire for regretfully abstaining from a vote to designate April 29 as End Jew Hatred Day, raising concerns about her willingness to confront antisemitism.
Meisha Ross Porter, the first Black woman to serve as NYC schools chancellor under Bill de Blasio, is backed by him for a return. However, her record includes a $45,000 celebratory gala where subordinates paid to attend, hiring decisions openly framed around race and gender, and a push to eliminate the SHSAT, the exam for admission to the citys elite specialized high schools.
Kamar Samuels, appointed superintendent of District 3 on the Upper West Side in 2022 amid talk of innovation, is described by insiders as a chronic delegator who avoids responsibility, tells everyone whatever he thinks they want to hear, and leaves staff to deal with the fallout when promises collapse.
Former Mayor Bill de Blasio, who is very far left politically, reportedly opposes Bowmans appointment, arguing he lacks the experience needed for the role, and instead is pushing for Porter. New York Citys public schools are already facing plummeting student enrollment, chronic absenteeism, and low reading and math performance.
School placement consultant Christopher Rim told The New York Post that at least 23 clients have contacted him to move their children into private middle and high schools in other states following Mamdanis win, with at least 3 of the calls coming Within the first 30 minutes of AP announcing Mamdanis victory.
This indicates the level of concern among parents about the future of New York City's public schools under the new leadership.
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