Popular politician launches campaign to lead Houston ISD

Who will be the next Houston Independent School District Superintendent? Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is supporting State Representative Alma Allen for the job.  

"I was on the state board of education for 12 years," explains Texas State Rep. Allen and that's only part of the popular politician's resume. Dr. Allen began teaching at Houston Independent School District when she was 21 years old and rose through the ranks becoming a principal, administrator and a college professor. 

"I have many successful children out there," says State Rep. Allen with a smile. "Senator Rodney Ellis was in my very first class," 

Now Representative Allen wants to be Houston Independent School District Superintendent after Terry Grier's resignation was official in March. Deputy Superintendent and chief financial officer Ken Huewitt is holding the position in the interim and is also hoping to be named HISD superintendent.

"My heart is in education," says Allen. "That's my bailiwick. I enjoy doing it."

Dr. Allen's mother was an educator.  So are both of Allen's children, Dr. Patricia Allen and Lawrence Allen.  "We're an education family," explains Allen. "I even have a granddaughter who's teaching at Wheatley High School." 

Allen became a Texas State Rep. in 2005, though Dr. Allen says she was still an educator.

"I passed lots of bills for education," says state Rep. Allen. One particularly on autism," says Rep Allen who has held many titles but if selected this would be her first time being a superintendent.
 
"The president has never been the president before.  I'm ready for the challenge" says Allen who will turn 77 on Thursday.  "I bring a lot to the table.  I'm proud of my age and what I've done.  So I don't think it should be a factor.  I have a lot to offer and I want to offer it to the students of HISD".  
 
The HISD School Board could name the new Superintendent next month.