New York City Public Schools Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins is stepping down in September, she and other city officials confirmed Sunday. Chancellor Kamar Samuels thanked Hawkins for her "tremendous efforts" expanding early childhood programs and addressing long-running payment bottlenecks for providers. During Hawkins' tenure, childcare providers continued to raise concerns about delayed city payments, an issue city officials said they were working to address. Hawkins leaves as the city prepares to open the first 2,000 seats in its new universal 2-K program this fall. City officials did not say why she is leaving or who will replace her.