Chancellor Kamar Samuels acknowledged a procedural lapse in a $180,000 contract for foreign-language instructors signed while he led District 3.City Council Speaker Julie Menin has pressed the Department of Education for full disclosure of the contract and related agreements.
The New York City Department of Education (DOE) is the focus of a formal investigation that began in June 2026 into a $180,000 no-bid contract for foreign-language instructors signed during Kamar Samuels’s tenure as superintendent of District 3 [3]. The inquiry was triggered after the contract was identified as lacking the standard competitive bidding process required for DOE expenditures. The contract, awarded to vendor Sean Kreyling, a non-DOE-approved provider, has become the centerpiece of the probe [2].
The investigation involves several city officials. Chancellor Kamar Samuels, who assumed the DOE chancellorship in early 2026, confirmed the lapse in procedure and is cooperating with investigators [3]. City Council Speaker Julie Menin has formally requested the release of the contract and related documents, describing the DOE’s response as “laborious” [1]. Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration, which campaigned on reducing waste and fraud in education contracts, is also being scrutinized for oversight of the contracting process [4].
Investigation and Contract Details
The contract in question was executed in 2025, allocating $180,000 to hire foreign-language instructors for District 3 schools [2]. The agreement was signed without a competitive bid, a departure from the DOE’s standard procurement policy that mandates public bidding for contracts exceeding $100,000 [3]. The vendor, Sean Kreyling, had not been pre-approved by the DOE’s vendor registry, raising concerns about compliance with city procurement rules [2].
An internal audit initiated by the DOE’s Office of the Inspector General identified the contract during a routine review of district expenditures [3]. The audit flagged the lack of a bid as a “procedural irregularity” and recommended a full review of all contracts awarded under Samuels’s district leadership [4]. The City Council’s Committee on Education and Youth Services has scheduled a hearing for late July to examine the findings and request additional documentation [1].
Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration, which campaigned on reducing waste and fraud in education contracts, is also being scrutinized for oversight of the contracting process [4].
Political and Administrative Response
New York City Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels Under Investigation for $180,000 No-Bid Contract
Speaker Menin has issued multiple formal letters to Chancellor Samuels and the mayor’s office, demanding the release of the contract and any related agreements [1]. In response, the mayor’s press office described the request as “laborious,” indicating that the administration is compiling the requested documents for council review [1]. Chancellor Samuels publicly acknowledged the lapse, stating that the contract was signed “in good faith” but without adherence to the required bidding process [3].
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Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration has pledged to strengthen oversight of education contracts, noting that the DOE’s annual spending approaches $13 billion, representing roughly one-tenth of the city’s total budget [4]. The mayor’s office has announced the formation of a task force to audit all DOE contracts exceeding $100,000, with a target completion date of December 2026 [4]. No criminal charges have been filed as of the date of reporting, but the investigation remains open and may lead to further legal action [2].
Implications for Education Stakeholders
The investigation may affect the allocation of resources for language instruction across the city’s public schools. If the contract is deemed non-compliant, the DOE could be required to re-award the services through a competitive process, potentially delaying program implementation for students currently enrolled in foreign-language courses [3]. Educators in District 3 and other boroughs have been advised to await guidance from the DOE before making staffing decisions related to the contract [4].
Transparency concerns raised by the council may lead to stricter reporting requirements for future DOE contracts. Schools and vendors are expected to adhere to more rigorous documentation standards, which could increase administrative workload but aim to reduce the risk of non-compliant agreements [1]. Parents and community members are being encouraged to monitor council hearings and DOE disclosures to ensure accountability in the use of public funds [2].
Key Facts
What: Chancellor Kamar Samuels is under investigation for a $180,000 no-bid contract for foreign-language instructors signed while he led District 3.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration has pledged to strengthen oversight of education contracts, noting that the DOE’s annual spending approaches $13 billion, representing roughly one-tenth of the city’s total budget [4].
When: Investigation began in June 2026; contract was signed in 2025.
Impact: The probe may alter contract procurement practices, affect language-instruction funding, and increase oversight of DOE spending.
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