What's Next For Houston ISD?

HOUSTON, TX — The announcement of Houston ISD Superintendent Richard Carranza's resignation on Monday had local leaders and lawmakers scrambling to make sure the school district keeps moving forward. Carranza leaves the seventh-largest school district in the country to the mammoth school system of New York City — tops in the country with about 1.1 million students.

And Carranza's salary as Chancellor of NYC Schools will remain the same at $345,000, according to a report in the Houston Business Journal. There are probably built-in incentives since New York City has a much higher cost of living, and leading the biggest school district in America's largest city has its demands.

Carranza issued this statement regarding his move after leading Houston ISD for only 18 months.

"It has been an honor and privilege to have served the students of the Houston Independent School District and bring a voice to communities that have historically been underserved," Carranza said. "It is with a heavy heart that I announce my departure as I embark on this new journey.

"I am looking forward to the opportunity of serving the 1.1 million students in New York City. I am forever grateful to the people of Houston for allowing me to be a part of this great city."

The move comes on the heels of HISD facing a $105 million shortfall in the 2018-19 budget, which is actually a reduction from the previously-estimated $208 million shortfall. Though Carranza was handcuffed by the shortfall numbers.

HISD first began budgeting for the 2018-2019 school year immediately after Hurricane Harvey hit in August of 2017. Using a worst-case scenario, the district's financial team projected a $208 million deficit based on four dynamic factors:

1. The Local Optional Homestead Exemption (LOHE) lawsuit
2. A recapture payment to the state
3. A potential property tax value decrease
4. An anticipated student enrollment decline

Taking direction from HISD Board President Rhonda Skillern-Jones, district administrators crafted a revised budget outlook for the 2018-19 school year.

Then there are 10 underperforming schools in the district. Should some of them underperform again, they have the possibility of being taken over by the state.

While Carranza leaves in the midst of HISD facing several challenges, the school board is confident in the ability to overcome those challenges with viable solutions.

"We the Board wish Carranza the best in his endeavors and appreciate the leadership he brought to this district," Skillern-Jones said. "We are committed to continuing the work he began and moving the district forward."

The district said it's not in a rush to name a new superintendent immediately, but they know the challenge of righting the ship and finding a new leader in the interim.

"We will soon plug the hole of superintendent," Skillern-Jones said. "In the near future, any crisis or problems that HISD has will become a distant memory."

Meanwhile, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner addressed the issue of working with the interim superintendent to move the district in the right direction.

"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," Turner said. "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."

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