Queens superintendent reinstated

Dr. Phillip Composto was renamed to his post as District 30 superintendent. Photo courtesy of DOE

By Rachel Vick

Beloved District 30 Superintendent Philip Composto has officially been reappointed to his position, following community outcry over earlier announcements that he had been removed from the running.

Despite the fact that Mayor Eric Adams and Schools Chancellor David Banks had told Composto that he would not be allowed to interview for his job as the pair looked to restaff the school leadership positions, Composto’s name was included on the list of the city’s new superintendents released on Monday.

“This is a new day for our school system,” Adams said Monday.

“I believe in this chancellor, I believe in the 45 men and women that he has brought together to be the leadership in all of our superintendent districts,” he added. “This is our opportunity to muster all of our resources to place our schools on the right pathway.”

Composto, who has led the district encompassing Astoria, Long Island City, Jackson Heights, Woodside, Sunnyside, Corona and East Elmhurst since 2002, was told that he would need to reapply for his job earlier this year.

When word got out that the St. John’s University and Queens College alum hadn’t been selected for the second round of the selection process — which included community input — local parents and advocates spoke out. During a May 13 rally, Community Education Council members stood with elected officials to condemn the lack of transparency.

At the rally, CEC member and local parent Whitney Toussaint described Composto as the definition of “servant leader.”

“We were completely taken aback and disheartened that our veteran superintendent... has not been included [in the next round of interviews],” Toussaint added.

The move to reappoint Composto was celebrated by Western Queens community leaders who had championed for his reappointment.

“Dr. Composto is a capable administrator who has earned the respect of families, students, and the general community for his engaging leadership,” said State Sen. Michael Gianaris. “I am pleased the city listened to the wishes of those stakeholders and opened their process to allow for Dr. Composto to be reappointed.”

Other superintendents in the borough are Madelene Chan, District 24; Danielle DiMango, District 25; Danielle Giunta, District 26; David Norment, District 27; Tammy Pate, District 28, and Crystal Bonds in District 29.