New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has chosen the Houston Independent School District Superintendent Richard Carranza to lead the nation’s largest school system.
De Blasio, a Democrat, said Monday, March 5th, that Carranza has been appointed to replace Chancellor Carmen Farina, who’s retiring.
Miami’s schools superintendent had accepted the post but then backed out last week. Alberto Carvalho cited emotional pleas from the Miami schools community to stay.
Carranza has been the superintendent in Houston since August 2016. He previously was superintendent of the San Francisco school system.
"It has been an honor and privilege to have served the students of the Houston Independent School District and bring a voice to communities that have historically been underserved," Carranza said in a press release. "It is with a heavy heart that I announce my departure as I embark on this new journey. I am looking forward to the opportunity of serving the 1.1 million students in New York City. I am forever grateful to the people of Houston for allowing me to be a part of this great city."
While Carranza leaves in the midst of HISD facing several challenges, HISD school board is confident in the ability to overcome those challenges with viable solutions, said the press release.
"We the Board wish Carranza the best in his endeavors and appreciate the leadership he brought to this district," said President Rhonda Skillern-Jones. "We are committed to continuing the work he began and moving the district forward."
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner‘s statement on Carranza becoming Chancellor of New York City schools:
“I received phone calls today from Richard Carranza and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio. I wished the superintendent well, and I told Mayor de Blasio that I believe he is getting a very capable superintendent. Now, we must focus on HISD's situation,” said Turner in a press release.
"HISD is our largest school district not only in the city but also in the state, and it's important for its trustees to put in place a very capable interim leader as we navigate through the challenges the district is facing. It's clear the city cannot move forward unless our school districts are moving forward and providing a quality education to all our children. I will be glad to work closely with the interim superintendent as well as the board to make sure we are doing the very best for our schools, our children and the people in the city of Houston," said Turner.
WATCH: Carranza at a press conference with New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio.
Join me at City Hall for an announcement on the future of our city's schools. https://t.co/Qze5gC5P6s
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) March 5, 2018
I look forward to working with @HoustonISD to make sure we are doing our best for our schools, our children and the city of Houston. pic.twitter.com/lPuHpz0r6v
— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) March 5, 2018