HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza accepts job as NYC's Schools Chancellor

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Houston ISD Superintendent Richard Carranza is leaving the district to take the top job in New York City.

Carranza stepped up as superintendent at HISD since August 2016. Before coming to Houston, Carranza served as superintendent of the San Francisco Unified School District for four years.

Carranza is leaving the largest school district in Texas to run the largest in the country.

"No greater opportunity than the largest school system in America, in the greatest city in America, the most diverse city in America, New York City," Carranza said.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio made the announcement Monday afternoon, that he had appointed Carranza as NYC's next School Chancellor.

“Richard Carranza understands the power of public education to change lives, and he has a proven record of strengthening public schools and lifting up students and families,” said Mayor de Blasio. “He understands the tremendous work New York City educators do every day to put our children on the path to success. Richard is the right person to lead our school system forward as we build on the progress we’ve made over the past four years and make our vision of equity and excellence for every child a reality."

Mayor de Blasio praised Carranza's leadership in Houston, including Carranza's efforts to get Houston back open two weeks after Hurricane Harvey.

"He is one of the people who helped get Houston back on its feet," Mayor de Blasio said. "And he determined very early on that the school district had to lead the way."

During his remarks, Carranza thanked Houston and Mayor Sylvester Turner for the opportunity to serve.

And as he says he did in Houston, Carranza promised to be champion for all schools in New York.

"If you are a student who does not yet speak English, we hear you. If you are a dreamer, we hear you," Carranza said.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner released this statement:

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.

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.