Dr. Marion Wilson, Staten Island Superintendent, Faces Scrutiny Over Unsubstantiated Texts

As superintendent, my top priority is to increase excellence across all schools throughout Staten Island. The accusations that I sent those text messages are completely false. I have always made strides to build relationships with educators, school leaders, parents and community members with the intention to serve all students and families to the best of my ability. Serving as superintendent in Staten Island is the honor of my life, and I am excited for the moment when we can put these false accusations behind us, and move forward as a community towards brighter starts and bolder futures for our kids. — Dr. Marion Wilson

Dr. Marion Wilson, superintendent of Staten Island’s District 31, came under fire after anti-white text message screenshots began circulating. Though unconfirmed as to whether or not the screenshots are authentic or edited, the Black superintendent has received backlash for comments seen in the messages.

Dr. Wilson is a well experienced educator who has been with the Department Of Education since 2006. Before stepping into her role as superintendent of District 31, she served as a teacher, instructional coach, principal, principal leadership facilitator, and deputy superintendent.

The alleged, unsubstantiated messages targeting white educators and principals on Staten Island were shared in the form of screenshots sent to Chancellor David Banks and other DOE officials via email. It is reported by the NY Post that the screenshots were sent from [email protected], which is an encrypted email address.

LittleAfrica News will not publish the unverified text messages.

The matter of the alleged text messages was first raised in August 2022, according to DOE Press Secretary Nathaniel Styer.

“As superintendent, my top priority is to increase excellence across all schools throughout Staten Island. The accusations that I sent those text messages are completely false. I have always made strides to build relationships with educators, school leaders, parents and community members with the intention to serve all students and families to the best of my ability. Serving as superintendent in Staten Island is the honor of my life, and I am excited for the moment when we can put these false accusations behind us, and move forward as a community towards brighter starts and bolder futures for our kids,” Dr. Wilson wrote in a statement. 

Although Dr. Wilson has been personally threatened and attacked on social media, her colleagues and supporters are standing by her. 

Assemblyman Mike Reilly, a Staten Island parent, former president of Community Education Council 31 said, “In her two years as superintendent of District 31, I have only known Dr. Wilson to be an ally for our public schools and an advocate for students, parents, and teachers.

She is a reliable public servant who has always interacted with me and my staff with the utmost professionalism and respect.”