Parents respond to sudden interim superintendent change

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Come Monday, Houston Independent School District will be under new leadership, but with a familiar face. The change will mark the third of its kind within the last year.

“It is what it is and I feel like things are going to fall in place and everything is going to go well," says Keitha Cesar, parent of an Houston ISD student. "So, I just think that the parents just need to like pray about it.“

The board of trustees meeting on Thursday brought about a lot of controversy. A 5-4 vote decided that current interim superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan would return to her previous position as Houston ISD Chief Academic Officer and bring in former superintendent Dr. Abe Saavedra as the next interim superintendent.

“I thought she was a good acting," says Beverly McDonald, the grandparent of a Houston ISD student. "She must be good if they want her back in her old position. They talk about how well she did. So, it’s very very confusing.”

Confusing, but McDonald is right. The vote was for Lathan to step down so that qualified applicants wouldn’t be scared away. She has the option to apply for the job. Many parents hope she does.

"The kids love her, that’s number one," says Cesar. "So that gives you a sign right there that if the kids have that much left for her, she is absolutely doing something good.“

Saavedra is just keeping the seat warm. The board assures that he's not interested in taking the position. The change will take place on Monday, Oct. 15.