Richard Carranza named sole Houston ISD superintendent finalist

HOUSTON – The Houston Independent School District  Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday morning to name Richard Carranza the lone finalist for superintendent.

The board met at 7 a.m. to discuss superintendent candidates.

Carranza has served as a teacher, and a principal and in other leadership roles before his recent position as superintendent of the San Francisco Unified School District in California.

"The Houston Independent School District has earned a national reputation for innovation and academic achievement among all student groups," Carranza said in an HISD press release. "I am honored that the Board of Education would consider me for the superintendent position. There are many challenges facing Houston's students, and I look forward to working with the community to build on Houston ISD's strengths."

Working with the search firm Hazard, Young, Attea, & Associates, the board narrowed down the list to 35 applicants for second-round interviews.

By law, the board must give the public the names of the finalists being considered at least 21 days before a final vote is taken.

HISD said it is working out arrangements for Carranza to visit Houston next week.

Here is more information about Carranza, from an HISD news release:

"Carranza earned a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from the University of Arizona and a master of education degree with distinction in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. He has completed his doctoral coursework through Northern Arizona University and is currently pursuing a doctorate of education through Nova Southeastern University in Educational Leadership.

"Carranza is a highly regarded figure on the national education scene. He chairs the Board of Directors for the Council of the Great City Schools, serving as a national spokesperson on significant issues facing urban school districts.

"He also serves on the Association of Latinos and Administrators Board of Directors, National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future, American Association of School Administrators Executive Committee, San Francisco Symphony Board of Governors, Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco Board of Trustees, and the K to College Advisory Board."

The Houston Federation of Teachers said in a statement that the union is cautiously optimistic about the leadership of Carranza, but pledged to collaborate with the new superintendent.

"The Houston public education system must become a partnership between the superintendent, educators, students and other community members who have a stake in the kids' futures," said HFT President Zeph Capo. "When everyone has a voice in how our kids are educated, the best, most inspirational ideas will rise to the surface."

Capo said Carranza's track record of social justice will provide the foundation to bring equity to public schools in Houston.

A petition has been started on Change.org that calls for the school board to make Carranza's contract available for public comment before trustees vote.