Beloved Queens Superintendent Keeps Job As City Completes Reversal

ASTORIA, QUEENS — Weeks after he was abruptly removed from his longtime position, the longtime leader of Western Queens's public schools has been reappointed to the job, marking a complete about-face by the city's Department of Education.

Philip Composto's reappointment as superintendent of District 30 was announced Monday afternoon by Schools Chancellor David Banks, along with the new and returning leaders of the city's dozens of other school districts.

It came more than a month after Composto had been removed from consideration for the top job in District 30, which comprises dozens of schools across Astoria, Long Island City, Jackson Heights, Woodside, Sunnyside, Corona and East Elmhurst. Composto has led the district since 2002 — but had been asked to reapply for his job as part of a shakeup by Banks and the administration of Mayor Eric Adams.

News last month that Composto had failed to advance to the next round of the hiring process sparked a fierce backlash among parents and elected officials, who said he was well-liked and trusted.

"Parents are flabbergasted. Educators are beside themselves," one school supervisor within District 30 told Patch at the time.

The city began to reverse course within days, saying that Composto and all incumbent superintendents would be allowed to continue to the next hiring round — though he was still up against three other candidates.

To date, the city has not offered any public explanation for Composto's initial ouster, saying only that the newly-named superintendents would be tasked with "significantly expanded responsibilities" under the city's reimagining of the role.

Composto's reappointment was greeted positively Monday by State Sen. Michael Gianaris, who had been sharply critical of the DOE's handling of the process.

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

The news was also welcomed in a Facebook group for District 30 families, with one parent calling it "a stunningly lovely surprise."

"The way the world is going, I was sure he was out," the parent wrote.

Banks announced the new superintendents in a news conference Monday afternoon at DOE's Lower Manhattan headquarters, flanked by Mayor Adams.

"These leaders are ready to embrace the expanded role of superintendent," Banks said, saying each person would be charged with improving students' learning outcomes, designing curriculum design, supervising staff, and helping train teachers.

Parents were also given the chance to weigh in on the new District 30 superintendent in a town hall meeting on May 20, where some families tore into the city for removing Composto without community input.

Related coverage:

• Surprise Ousting Of Western Queens School Superintendent Spurs Outrage
• Ousted Queens Superintendent Allowed To Advance After Outcry