Illusion of Accountability: A Graphic Testimony on Corruption and the need for Reform within Mayoral-Controlled NYC Public Schools

This three-year 400+ page graphic culminating project combines the course literature, Occupational Ambiguity and Resonant Transformation videos, with additional evidence on the scapegoating of former schools Chancellor David Banks, to expose the deep-rooted fraud, corruption, and retaliation carried out by a small group of powerful executives within New York City Public Schools—the largest school district in the nation. Drawing from firsthand experiences, internal documentation, and thorough research, this project reveals how despite the current structure of Mayoral Control, unchecked abuses of power, silenced dissent, and putting politics before students still plagues the system.

Intended for policymakers, educators, and concerned citizens alike, this work is more than an exposé—it is a testimony and a call to action. It highlights the urgent need to reimagine how public schools are governed in New York City. Without meaningful oversight and shared decision-making, communities, teachers, and students are left vulnerable to decisions made behind closed doors.

This project stands as a demand for accountability, transparency, and structural reform. It is a contribution to the growing movement to shift away from centralized control and toward a system that truly reflects the voices and needs of the people it serves.