Joan Raymond

Joan Raymond is a former superintendent of the Houston Independent School District (HISD) from 1986,[1] until 1991.[2]

Joan Raymond
Superintendent of the Houston Independent School District
In office
1986–1991
Preceded byBilly Reagan
Succeeded byFrank Petruzielo

She originated from the Northern United States,[2] and matriculated from Ripon College, DePaul University, and Northwestern University.[1]

Career

Her first job in the education sector was for Chicago Public Schools and she later served as the superintendent of Yonkers Public Schools.[1] She began her term as HISD superintendent circa September 1986, replacing Billy Reagan.[3]

Former HISD board member Donald R. McAdams described Raymond as "smart, informed, and decisive",[1] and that the majority of the HISD board and business leaders in Houston approved of her. In 1985 the Texas Education Agency had downgraded the accreditation of HISD, but the district, under her leadership, recovered its accreditation.[2] In addition, the district, by June and July 1987, the district had a $30 million surplus despite general budget issues in the state at the time.[3] McAdams added that Raymond "had to be in control of everything she touched",[1] and that "intimidation" was a feature of her tenure.[2] Elizabeth Spates, an African-American board member, opposed Raymond, stating that she was a "hireling" and that she could not adapt to the culture of the Southern United States.[3]

Raymond initiated the concept of The Rice School, which opened in 1994.[4]

Raymond was voted out by Felix Fraga, Wiley Henry, and other board members.[5] Tim Fleck of the Houston Press wrote that the board members were "fed up with her abrasive style of management".[4] Former board member Don McAdams stated that the board, when voting, felt pressure since there was fear that "If we tried to fire her and failed, HISD would be in chaos."[6]

References
  1. McAdams, Donald R. Fighting to Save Our Urban Schools-- and Winning!: Lessons from Houston. Teachers College Press, 2000. ISBN 0807738840, 9780807738849. p. 1.
  2. McAdams, Donald R. Fighting to Save Our Urban Schools-- and Winning!: Lessons from Houston. Teachers College Press, 2000. ISBN 0807738840, 9780807738849. p. 2.
  3. Curtis, Gregory. "Behind the Lines: Mrs. Spates and Dr. Raymond" Texas Monthly. September 1987. Volume 5, Issue 9. ISSN 0148-7736. Start: p. 5. CITED: p. 5.
  4. Fleck, Tim (1997-08-21). "What Went Wrong at the Rice School?". Houston Press. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
  5. McAdams, Donald R (Chapter 19). "Lessons from Houston: Fighting to Save Our Urban Schools." In: Yin, Robert K (editor). The Case Study Anthology. SAGE, April 4, 2007. ISBN 0761929266, 9780761929260. Start: p. 251. CITED: p. 256. Excerpted from two chapters in Fighting to Save Our Urban Schools: "Lessons from Houston" and "A New Beginning for HISD"
  6. Johnston, Robert C. (2000-10-04). "Tell-All Book Offers Insight Into Board Politics". Education Week. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
Educational offices
Preceded by
Billy Reagan		 Houston Independent School District
superintendent
1986-1991		 Succeeded by
Frank Petruzielo
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