Transparency Now: A Community’s Demand for Accountability in Superintendent Mims’ Removal

by Binta Vann
Like many Bedford-Stuyvesant natives whose roots run deep in this community, I am the product of District 16 schools. My father, Albert Vann, attended these schools, as did many of the Vann grandchildren. Our family’s connection to this district spans generations, which is why the sudden removal of Superintendent Mims from leadership has left me profoundly dismayed.

I find myself stunned that at this critical moment in our nation’s history—when our government seems intent on dismantling decades of progress affecting communities like ours—our own city leaders would act with such disregard for community input.

That our mayor and chancellor would unilaterally use their power to disrupt the school term without proper notification or engagement from community members is not just disappointing; it’s a betrayal of the very principles that have sustained our neighborhood through challenging times.
Let me be clear: I am neither a politician nor an educator.

As a community member who has been invested in this community throughout my life, what I do have is a deep commitment to the values that have long defined Bedford-Stuyvesant—community voice, accountability, and transparency. The manner in which this decision was executed—seemingly in whispers, during spring break when educators, parents, and students were away—raises alarming questions about the state of community representation in decisions that directly impact our children’s education.

Have we truly reached a point where the voices of our community are no longer welcome in decisions that affect our children’s futures? This question weighs heavily on my mind as I reflect on the legacy of my father, Albert Vann, who began his career as a teacher before entering politics.

One of his greatest achievements was the Ocean Hill-Brownsville experiment, designed specifically to explore how increased community influence and control could benefit young scholars. That vision of community engagement and empowerment seems sadly distant from the current approach.

I was introduced to Brendan Mims after my father passed. He was interested in modeling a new curriculum centered around civic engagement for his schools. It was clear that he, like my father, wanted to build deeper connections with parents, small businesses, and the broader community with his school district. I was impressed by his passion and vision for District 16 and his desire to bridge the success of the past to the future of education.

What makes this situation even more perplexing is the absence of any clear justification to the community. The performance of schools under Superintendent Mims’ leadership has exceeded most districts across New York City. No one has provided a legitimate reason for this disruptive action. This absence of transparency leaves citizens like me to conclude that this decision is rooted in power dynamics, favoritism, and political maneuvering rather than educational considerations.

Our community deserves better. We are owed an explanation. We have no interest in superficial gestures designed to save face. Instead, we expect our educational and city leaders to demonstrate the integrity necessary to be transparent, acknowledge missteps, and make things right. In the absence of this transparency and efforts to resolve any “undisclosed issues”, Superintendent Mims must be reinstated to his position.

Let us not lose sight of what truly matters in this situation. The Department of Education’s primary focus should always be the education and well-being of our children. When administrative decisions are made behind closed doors without community input, it is our children who ultimately suffer the consequences.

As a community with a proud history of advocacy for educational equity, we must stand firm in our demand for accountability. The legacy of leaders like Albert Vann reminds us that community voice is not peripheral to educational success—it is essential. The unilateral removal of a successful superintendent without cause or community consultation represents a dangerous step backward that we cannot accept in silence.

The path forward is clear: transparency, accountability, and the reinstatement of Superintendent Mims. Anything less would be a continued disservice to the children, families, and educators of District 16.