About three dozen parents, elected officials and community leaders from central Brooklyn rallied on Thursday in Bedford-Stuyvesant to protest the removal of District 16 (D16) Superintendent Brendan Mims.
"Bring back Mims!" chanted rally goers in front of P.S. 25 The Eubie Blake School, referring to Mims' removal by Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos on April 14.
Many D16 community members were outraged over Mims' dismissal, who had been in the position since July 2022 and had worked for the Department of Education (DOE) for 22 years. No one knew exactly why Mims was dismissed.
"There's too much going on," said Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman, noting that many community members have been asking her to explain why Mims was removed. "There's talk of dismantling the [U.S.] Department of Education, we have not passed the state budget. And now a superintendent has been removed during spring break. Why would they be doing that, removing under the cloak of darkness?"
City Council Member Chi Ossé reminded the crowd that they had just paid their taxes only to see this happen.
"This is disrespectful to all of you," he said. "It creates instability in our city. Try doing this in Park Slope!"
Business owner Shalonda Vasquez, who has twins enrolled in a D16 school, said she did not know about any other superintendent until Mims came on board because he was all about community.
There was also concern about students and faculty returning from spring break on Monday and having to prepare for state assessment exams amidst all the chaos. One mother, who asked to remain anonymous, thought the instability could cause parents to pull their kids out of schools in the district.
Dr. Shango Blake, the chief executive officer of Black Influencers United a nonprofit that works with Black educators, told the crowd that Mims' removal means that even fewer Black men remain in positions of authority in public schools.
"They're cooks, custodians, security guards," Blake said. "All that is essential. But there are no educators in math, science. There's a shortage of leadership. They're ostracized out of education."
Only 19% of the city's educators are Black, and only 4% are Black men, according to Chalkbeat.
Zinerman said that Mims' removal process likely began in June 2024 when she began receiving emails between Mims and Community Education Council (CEC)16.
A meeting was planned in October 2024 to discuss what was described as tension between the two sides, according to Chalkbeat. That meeting was canceled and the assemblymember heard little until March and when Mims was removed.
Zinerman told BK Reader that there was no disclosure about why he was removed from his role and that she was eager to see the file explaining his dismissal.
David C. Bloomfield, professor of Education Leadership, Law & Policy at Brooklyn College and The CUNY Graduate Center, said transparency about Mims' removal is necessary to restore public trust.
"Transparency is all-important, including formal statements by the CEC and/or the Chancellor’s Office to clarify reasons for the decision," Bloomfield said. "Wording of such statements can be legally, politically and personally fraught but these are public leadership positions of great importance requiring reassurance that the decision is not arbitrary and consistent with procedural and substantive standards."
D16 has had three superintendents since 2016, which makes Zinerman question the hiring process, usually done through a framework call the C-37 Chancellor's Regulation.
Marlon Rice, a supporter of Mims who is running for state senator in the 25th District, said parents and community members should take control of their children's educational paths.
"I worry about when a superintendent comes next and the same [expletive] will happen," he said.
Zinerman said concerned parents should keep speaking up and sign an an online petition, which has over 870 signatures.
"Use your voice. Stand strong. We got to move right now," Zinerman said.
DOE Press Secretary Nicole Brownstein did not provide an explanation about Mims' removal. However, she provided a link explaining how superintendents are evaluated and that the position is an "at-will hire," which means employees can be fired at any time with or without a reason.
"The NYCPS follows Chancellor's Regulation C-37 which outlines the eligibility criteria and application process, including consultation with the district’s Community Education Council," Brownstein said in a statement. "NYCPS has selected an interim acting superintendent and will begin the selection process set forth in the Chancellor’s Regulation C-37."
BK Reader reached out to CEC16 for comment, but did not receive a reply.
