TITLE: Honoring Dr. Grenita Lathan for her service as interim superintendent of the Houston Independent School District.

SUMMARY: Honoring Dr. Grenita Lathan for her service as interim superintendent of the Houston Independent School District.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Dr. Grenita Lathan is stepping down as interim superintendent of the Houston Independent School District, and the conclusion of her tenure provides a fitting opportunity to recognize her outstanding contributions; and WHEREAS, Dr. Lathan first joined Houston ISD in 2015, serving as chief school officer over elementary transformation schools and chief academic officer before becoming the interim superintendent in March 2018; she has guided the district through the unprecedented challenges presented by Hurricane Harvey and the COVID-19 pandemic, and under her leadership, HISD has seen improved academic performance, with several campuses meeting state standards for the first time in multiple years; and WHEREAS, A graduate of North Carolina A&T State University and the University of North Carolina, Dr. Lathan holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in business education, and she earned a doctorate from Southern Illinois University; she began her career as an educator in 1991 in North Carolina, where she was a teacher, an assistant principal, and a principal; she has also served as chief improvement officer and interim deputy superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District and as superintendent of Peoria Public Schools; her many awards and accolades include the 2019 Education Advocate of the Year Award from the NAACP, the HERO Award from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the Outstanding Texan Award from the Texas Legislative Black Caucus; and WHEREAS, During her three years as interim superintendent, Dr. Lathan has helped to foster a supportive and challenging learning environment for the students of Houston ISD, and she may take justifiable pride in her many accomplishments; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas Legislature hereby commend Dr. Grenita Lathan on her service as interim superintendent of the Houston Independent School District and extend to her sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Dr. Lathan as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Allen Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 698 was adopted by the House on April 23, 2021, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House