Parents at Lantrip Elementary in Houston are raising their voices in protest following the sudden administrative leave of Principal Valiza Castro, seeking clarity from the Houston Independent School District (HISD). According to Click2Houston, the demonstration took place this morning, with the community showing up in force to not only ask, but to demand transparency over the recent and rapid changes in school leadership.
Signs of unrest have been reported at Lantrip Elementary, with a 70% teacher turnover since June, which corresponds with the leadership changes now being addressed by parents. The decision by HISD to place Castro on leave has contributed to these concerns. One parent, Jannica Palmer, described Principal Castro's influence as transformative in a statement obtained by Click2Houston, saying, "Her dedication has transformed our school. Removing her without explanation after just three months is unacceptable."
The district sent a letter to Lantrip's families notifying them of the leadership change, but did not include specific reasons for Castro's removal. According to a report by Click2Houston, the lack of transparency has been a concern for both families and faculty.
Furthermore, the HISD letter, as reported by KHOU, stated a commitment to finding a "high-performing team" without detailing the metrics for such performance. Criticism of HISD's handling of the situation has been raised. Mark Garcia Prats, a Lantrip parent, shared his concerns, while also expressing a desire to continue advocating for transparency. "The lack of transparency over this whole process. HISD has broken trust with the parents of our community repeatedly," he said.
The sentiment was shared by Castro's attorney, Chris Tritico, who was brought on for the role and noted the challenges and risks associated with such positions within HISD. "In HISD right now if you breathe the wrong way you're going to get fired," Tritico told KHOU.
As HISD works through these challenges, parents are seeking a clearer understanding of the decisions affecting their children’s education and the stability of their community. Both sources report that while the district has committed to working with families to develop a profile for the next principal, some remain concerned due to the absence of transparent criteria and open communication.
