Principal Hire Stirs Debate Over Proposed School

A tech high school hired a project director before its New York approval, drawing scrutiny over compensation and transparency.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Secondary Education

Principal Hire Stirs Debate Over Proposed School

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Next Generation Technology High School hired Caleb Haraguchi-Combs as project director in January 2026, paying principal-level compensation before the school was approved. New York Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels denied the proposed school in April 2026.

Why it matters

The Department of Education states that a principal should not be named before a school is approved, and the case raises questions about how new schools are planned and staffed in New York City. It also highlights how public-facing hiring decisions can shape parental trust in the city's school approval process.

Haraguchi-Combs earned $141,960 a year as an assistant principal before receiving a $50,000 raise to principal-level pay, for about $200,000 total annual compensation. The proposed school has not been approved, and it is unclear whether the applicants will pursue an appeal or revised proposal.

The players

Kamar Samuels

Kamar Samuels is the chancellor of New York City public schools, responsible for overseeing the city's school system and approvals of new schools.

Caleb Haraguchi-Combs

Caleb Haraguchi-Combs is an educator and former assistant principal who also performs rap music under the stage name Cal Combs.

The details

Caleb Haraguchi-Combs was hired as project director for the proposed Next Generation Technology High School, which would focus on artificial intelligence and computer technology in the Financial District. He also released two rap albums under the stage name Cal Combs and declined to say where he worked when questioned by the New York Post.

2017: Haraguchi-Combs released the album Carmel.
January 2026: Next Generation Technology High School hired him as project director.
April 2026: Chancellor Kamar Samuels denied the proposed school.

Season Trajectory

The Department of Education's position that principals should not be named before a school is approved sets the expectation this hire appears to have bypassed. The denial of the proposed school in April 2026 reinforces that approval rules govern how new New York City schools can staff up.

Families considering new New York City high schools may need to watch how approval decisions and leadership announcements are sequenced. The denial means the proposed school cannot open under its current plan.

The takeaway

Parents and families evaluating new schools benefit from checking whether a school has received formal approval before relying on announced leadership. Official approval status is the clearest signal of whether a proposed school is moving forward.