After more than three years without a permanent superintendent, the Houston school district has selected a lone finalist for the job.
The school board announced that it has named Millard House to lead the district. He is line to succeed Grenita Lathan, who has been interim superintendent of the 209,000-student school system, the seventh largest in the United States, since 2018.
House now serves in the top administrative job in the Clarksville-Montgomery (Tenn.) school district--director of schools.
“I am excited to be joining Houston ISD and look forward to building on the district’s strengths and expand the educational opportunities for all students,” House said. The board will officially vote on the position at its June meeting. Pending approval, after the expiration of the 21-day period, House will begin his role as superintendent in June 2021.
Texas law requires school boards to inform the public about finalists for a superintendency and wait at least 21 days before making a final decision to hire a finalist.
“As we regain our footing from a difficult year navigating the pandemic, it’s an opportunity to start anew and lay the groundwork for the important decisions and strategies we will need to implement to address the loss of learning and the mental and emotional toll our students and staff have experienced,” said Houston School Board President Patricia Allen. “I am proud that our new superintendent will be inheriting a passionate, diverse, resilient team that is focused on investing in the whole child.”
Houston has been without a permanent superintendent since 2018, when Richard Carranza left the district to become chancellor of New York City school system, the nation's largest. Lathan has served as interim superintendent for three years. She announced earlier this year that she was leaving Houston to become superintendent of the Springfield (Mo.) district.
YouTube video: Millard House news conference (Houston school district):
