NYC Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza is Stepping Down

On Friday, New York City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza announced that he is stepping down  just about one year into the pandemic. Meisha Porter, the executive superintendent of the Bronx school districts, will take over starting March 15. She will be the first Black woman to hold the role and she brings 20 years of Department of Education experience.

"I can't think of anyone who would be better to lead this work and take up this mantel and serve New York City's children as the next New York City Schools Chancellor than Meisha Ross Porter," says Carranza. "She's born and bred New Yorker."

Carranza's departure was his own decision, noting that COVID-19 has taken the lives of 11 of his own relatives, according to officials. Carranza says he is proud of what NYC schools have been able to accomplish over the last three years, including the continued dismantling of systemic racism within NYC schools, bringing mental health to the forefront, and the increase in graduation and college enrollment rates.

"The change we've created together will help lift up generations of children to come," says Carranza. "This is because of the incredible work of the entire Department of Education family."

Carranza was at the forefront of bringing New York City schools fully remote back in March of 2020 as well as bringing schools back for in-person learning throughout the pandemic. He oversaw the creation of the Regional Enrichment Centers to provide childcare to children of frontline worker and also brought forth an effort to distribute 500,000 digital devices for remote learning to NYC students who needed them (albeit, an endeavor prone to difficulties).