Exclusive | NYC schools chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos ‘in loving relationship’ with state senator’s son

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NYC Colleges Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos is engaged “in a loving relationship” with the son of a strong state lawmaker whose help she was relying on to assist hold her job underneath the Mamdani administration, The Publish has realized.

Aviles-Ramos’ romance with Julian Sepulveda, son of Bronx state Sen. Luis Sepulveda, blossomed earlier than she filed a petition to divorce her husband, a number of sources say.

However now that relationship prevents Sen. Sepulveda — an ally of the chancellor — from brazenly lobbying Mamdani on her behalf, his spokesman acknowledged.

Julian Sepulveda, left, dated Melissa Aviles Ramos in 2022 when she was separated from her husband however not but divorced. The 2 visited Puerto Rico collectively. Obtained by the New York Publish

Julian Sepulveda, son of state Sen. Luis Sepulveda, left a job as state legislative director within the DOE for a prestigious gig as deputy director of intergovernmental affairs underneath state Lawyer Basic Tish James. Julian Sepúlveda/ Linkedin

Aviles-Ramos, 43, started relationship Julian Sepulveda, 33, lengthy earlier than she and ex-husband Samuel Ramos filed for divorce in early 2023, however the married couple thought of themselves separated, his lawyer mentioned.

Earlier than her marriage ended, Julian Sepulveda wasn’t shy about his affection for the educator. In response to a supply who shared a screenshot, he posted a selfie on his since-deleted Fb web page displaying Aviles-Ramos leaning gently in opposition to his chest throughout a getaway in Puerto Rico. The date: Sept. 2, 2022.

“Everyone knew she was with Julian. It was a giant open secret,” mentioned a former DOE official.

“They’ve been in a loving relationship for a couple of years now,” Division of Schooling spokeswoman Nicole Brownstein confirmed.

The ex-husband’s lawyer, J.C. Polanco, denied any hanky-panky, saying his consumer and Aviles-Ramos, who've a daughter, had plans to divorce earlier than the official submitting.

“They simply drifted aside and broke up,” Polanco mentioned the husband defined. “There was no affair, no misconduct, and nothing past two adults shifting ahead with their lives. They continue to be shut buddies and dedicated co-parents.”

NYC colleges Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos calls herself “a single mother,” with out mentioning her divorce. James Messerschmidt

The chancellor has repeatedly described herself within the press as “a single mother.”

Revelations this week about her relationship with a strong politician’s son come at a pivotal time, as Mamdani weighs his decide for NYC colleges chancellor, probably the most essential in his administration.

Aviles-Ramos hopes to stay within the $426,280-a-year job she has held since September 2024, changing David Banks.

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“I’m a New York Metropolis public college mother. It’s essential to me that the system runs nicely,” she informed The Publish after assembly Mamdani at a mosque in the course of the SOMOS convention in Puerto Rico this month. She informed The New York Occasions, “If I’m given the chance, after all I might be grateful.”

Sepulveda’s father, who has served within the Senate and Meeting since 2013, gushed with reward for Aviles-Ramos after Mayor Adams appointed her to succeed Banks as chancellor in September 2024.

“Congratulations to my expensive good friend and colleague Melissa Aviles-Ramos on being named the following NYC Colleges Chancellor!” he posted on X. “Because the highest-ranking Latina chief in NYC Public Colleges, her expertise, dedication, and Bronx roots will serve our college students and households nicely. I’m wanting ahead to working intently together with her!”

State Sen. Luis Sepulveda congratulated and praised Melissa Aviles-Ramos on X when Mayor Adams appointed her NYC colleges chancellor — with out disclosing that his son was romantically concerned together with her. Luis Sepúlveda/ X

He didn't disclose that his son was relationship Aviles-Ramos. On Friday, he refused to debate his son’s private life.

As for Aviles-Ramos, the senator is not going to “actively” foyer Mamdani’s transition crew on her behalf, mentioned his aide Mike Nieves. However Nieves added: “If he’s requested, he’ll have one thing to say.”

Aviles-Ramos says she “can be grateful” if Mayor-elect Mamdani retains her on as NYC colleges chancellor. Matthew McDermott

A month after ex-Chancellor Banks took workplace in January 2022, he named Julian Sepulveda director of state legislative affairs, which paid $97,912 a 12 months. On the time, Aviles-Ramos was a deputy superintendent of Bronx excessive colleges.

Eight months after his promotion, Sepulveda give up the DOE.

Brownstein denied the DOE pushed Sepulveda out when phrase unfold of his relationship with the still-married Aviles-Ramos.

The well-connected scion landed a “manner higher job,” Brownstein mentioned, as deputy director of intergovernmental affairs underneath state Lawyer Basic Tish James, beginning at about the identical wage: $99,883. Final fiscal 12 months, he collected $112,085, payroll data present.

Aviles-Ramos and her husband, who owned a transit firm, filed for an uncontested divorce in January 2023 in Jefferson County, on the northernmost tip of the state. On the time, New York {couples} may break up in any county, and less-busy upstate courthouses provided speedy outcomes, mentioned lawyer Daniel Yaniv. They finalized their divorce in 5 months that Might.