The chief of staff to Chancellor Kamar Samuels has resigned from the New York City Public Schools, the second person to leave Samuels’ cabinet since he announced it in March, the Daily News has learned.
Kenita Lloyd, will depart just short of five years of service at the end of 2026, according to an internal memo obtained by The News and two sources. She’s expected to be replaced by Michelle Paladino in an acting capacity.
Samuels’ top deputy for early childhood education, Simone Hawkins, departed before the start of this school year.
“Over the last nearly five years, Kenita Lloyd has been a critical member of the New York City Public Schools leadership team and we thank her for her tireless work on behalf of our students, families, and staff,” said Nicole Brownstein, press secretary for the public schools.
“In addition to launching the rebrand from the ‘DOE’ to New York City Public Schools, Ms. Lloyd was the instrumental force behind the agency’s first interfaith advisory council and expanded engagement with the Panel for Educational Policy. We wish her all of the best in all future endeavors.”
Lloyd started at the public schools in January 2022 under former Chancellor David Banks, first as his top deputy for family engagement and external affairs, before shifting ahead of the 2024-25 school year to his chief of staff. Previously, Lloyd and Banks worked together at Eagle Academy, the network of all-boys public schools that Banks founded.
The current chancellor was the third that Lloyd served as chief of staff: Banks, Melissa Aviles-Ramos and Samuels. Through each transition, she served as a source of institutional knowledge and stability.
The memo described Lloyd as the “driving force” behind the Department of Education’s systemwide rebrand as the New York City Public Schools. She also led the city’s response to parent tensions over the Israel-Hamas war, and managed the chancellor’s relationships with elected officials, advocates, and other members of the public.
Paladino, Lloyd’s temporary replacement, was serving in the office of policy and evaluation, according to her LinkedIn.