Appointed school board managers in some Texas districts under state takeover said Friday they are preparing to leave their posts as soon as January. Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa campaigned to end state takeovers of public schools and to replace Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath with an educator on her first day in office, Jan. 19. Education experts said a new commissioner could immediately replace any or all appointed managers in the eight districts taken over by the state.
Hinojosa has not said if or when she would replace the appointed leaders. Ric Campo, president of the Houston ISD board of managers, said some managers plan to meet with elected trustees Monday to lay out a plan. He said he is assuming the trustees must be ready by January. Pete Geren, the appointed president in Fort Worth ISD, said he expects he and the other managers will be removed soon, but he is not sure when.
Trustees in these districts remain in office but cannot vote on matters such as the budget or board policy. Campo said managers and district staff are preparing a transition package covering operations, transportation, human resources and classroom learning.