for math and reading, and established an all-day kindergarten program, while undoing efforts Alvarado had made at developing high schools with special themes. Test scores rose and overcrowding was addressed during his tenure, and oversaw the creation of the Harvey Milk High School, which was designed to be a safe space for students regardless of sexual orientation. He was criticized for his management of the district and its finances, with mayoral candidate Carol Bellamy saying that he "consistently failed to provide the leadership or sound management we need". Pressured to resign as Chancellor in 1987, six months before his contract expired, Mayor Ed Koch called Quinones "a first-rate chancellor" and regretted "that others were not supportive of him" saying that Quinones' "sedate kind of style" had hurt him from a political standpoint. Quinones expressed tremendous relief that he no longer had the burden of leading the school system, saying "I felt like a little bird" singing to himself as he walked down the street. Death Quinones died at age 79 on July 25, 2010, in Manhasset, New York from a stroke. He was survived by his wife, the former Romana Martinez, three daughters and three grandchildren. References 1930 births 2010 deaths City College of New York alumni Columbia University alumni Hunter College alumni New York City School Chancellors People from East Harlem Educators from New York City