NFISD superintendent on administrative leave

HOUSTON The school district says the superintendent was placed on leave because of, among other things, concerns over continued financial issues and graduation rate.

Now some parents say they're frustrated and they're hoping this major change will mean major improvements for their students.

After a little over two years on the job, North Forest ISD superintendent Dr. Adrain Johnson has been placed on administrative leave. The decision came through a unanimous vote Monday night by the district's board of trustees, citing in a prepared statement "ongoing fiscal deficiencies, graduation rate concerns at North Forest High School, accreditation issues, and time sensitive staff reduction priorities."

"In the best interest of the district, the Board of Trustees felt it necessary to move in a different direction," North Forest ISD then said in the statement.

A district plagued for years with financial problems, Dr. Johnson was appointed in 2008 by the Texas Education Agency to lead North Forest ISD, an appointment that ended last fall but he remained on staff.

The TEA tells Eyewitness News it has no idea what caused the school board to take this action saying, "The district was deeply in debt and though it still has a lot of debt to pay back, he helped them eliminate a lot of debt."

Parents like Arthur Fransaw says he has been seeing improvements under Dr. Johnson's watch.

"My grandkids, they've been improving their grades," he said.

But he and others say they are all for change if it means a better district and a better education for students.

"If it's still struggling and the district is still coming under fire for different issues then they didn't pick the right person," said Sandra Lennon, whose children graduated from North Forest ISD.

We've been unable to reach Dr. Johnson for comment. He is on paid administrative leave, which means he's still drawing from his nearly $200,000 salary.