New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has chosen the Houston schools superintendent to lead the nation’s largest school system.

De Blasio, a Democrat, said Monday that Richard A. Carranza has been appointed to replace Chancellor Carmen Farina (fah-REEN’-yah), 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.

Carranza says he’s “incredibly honored” to be chosen.

(AP)