Title Text: Caption: Description: Image Credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office As the leader of the nation’s largest public school system, Richard Carranza’s decisions affect the everyday lives of hundreds of thousands of students and families in New York City. Yet despite some successes, such as student gains at resource-intensive community schools, Carranza has faced a fierce backlash on efforts to scrap exams to get into elite high schools and gifted and talented programs – and Gov. Andrew Cuomo has exerted control over local COVID-19 school shutdowns and reopenings. 3. Lester Young Chancellor, New York State Board of Regents Lester Young was unanimously elected by his fellow Regents this year to serve as the chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents, the influential governmental body that sets educational policy and oversees the state Education Department. Young, who has some 50 years of experience positively transforming schools and programs, from teacher to high-level administrator, succeeds Betty Rosa, who shifted to the post of interim education commissioner last year.