Houston ISD taps CFO as interim superintendent

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The Houston Independent School Board has picked an interim superintendent while the search continues for a permanent replacement of Terry Grier.

Grier's last day as HISD superintendent is February 29.

The school board met in what started as a closed door meeting Wednesday morning and voted on a couple of recent hot button issues.

First, the board decided to part ways with the search firm hired earlier this month to find the new superintendent. The big question now: will ending the contract with the firm, Ray and Associates, push back hiring a new superintendent? Board members did not address that question directly, but have come up with a solution.

Ken Huewitt, the district's Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed as interim superintendent while the search continues. He joined the board for the announcement.

"I've always taken on a little more than my job title. It hasn't hit me yet. But I did wake up kind of early, around 4 o'clock. I've been thinking a little more about budget. Maybe tomorrow it will be 2 o'clock because I'll be thinking about the entire district," Huewitt said.

"I think we're all looking for someone who understands money because money is a major issue and we want to make sure we're fiscally responsible. I think it's important [to work] with the leadership of board president Manuel Rodriguez, that we have someone that works well with him and works well with us," said Jolanda Jones, HISD school board member.

As for a hiring a new firm, the school board voted to bring in their second choice during the initial process. The board says it will be meeting with that firm in the coming days to get the process rolling again.