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She was principal of the year in 2023. A year later, she said she was forced to resign

"The irony is not lost on me as I was at the banquet to be honored for being Principal of the Year almost exactly a year ago," Neff principal Amanda Wingard said.

HOUSTON — A former Houston ISD principal of the year won't be back on campus next school year after she said she was forced to resign.

Amanda Wingard is the principal at Neff Elementary in the Sharpstown area. 

"The irony is not lost on me as I was at the banquet to be honored for being Principal of the Year almost exactly a year ago," Wingard said. 

Wingard said it's been a tough few days after she said she was asked to resign. She said HISD didn't give her an explanation.

While HISD blames budget issues for hundreds of other job cuts, the district said that's not the case with principals. In a new statement to KHOU 11 News on Monday, the district indicated those jobs were based on school performance. 

All contract non-renewal for principals are made "with the goal of ensuring every student receives high-quality instruction, every day," HISD said in the statement. "When a school is rated C or lower, it often means the school is not serving students well on a consistent basis. And where campuses are not meeting the needs of all kids, HISD must examine what is happening at the school. That starts with the school’s leadership."

HISD didn't address specific cases, including Wingard's.

It has been a tough few days. I was asked to resign as principal at Neff. I plan to finish out the school year and am...

Posted by Amanda Bluhm Wingard on Thursday, May 9, 2024

The Neff principal started as a teacher there, then spent six years as assistant principal before being promoted to principal. It's the same school she attended as a child. 

Wingard was overcome by emotion last May when she was recognized by then-Superintendent Millard House II in a surprise celebration organized by students and fellow teachers. 

“The Principal of the Year is the kind of individual who embodies all of the qualities of what it is to be a service leader, to give of themselves, to give it all for their staff and their students on a daily basis,” House said.

Wingard will remain at Neff through the rest of the school year.

"I plan to finish out the school year and am looking forward to having my 1st summer off EVER. I have loved Neff and the Sharpstown community for the last 35 years," Wingard shared. "I am at peace with whatever happens next, but am managing the different emotions."

HISD job cuts

Outside HISD headquarters Friday, a constant stream of workers learned they too were out of work right before Mother's Day Weekend. They included teachers, custodians, maintenance workers, mechanics and other personnel. 

The district isn't saying how many jobs were cut but union representatives said it could be over 1,000.

"We are looking at the dismantling of HISD in real-time. we knew that changes would be made, or needed to be made in HISD, but you don't need a hatchet when a knife will do," Jackie Anderson, Houston Federation of Teachers president told us.

RELATED: 'Throwing me out like an old pair of shoes' | Hundreds losing jobs after mass layoffs at Houston ISD

On Saturday, State Rep. Jarvis Johnson called for Superintendent Mike Miles' removal.

"You can't dismiss our top educators and staff without a fight. Parents, teachers, students, and I are all furious," Jarvis said in a statement.

Full HISD statement on May 13

We asked HISD for comment and they sent us the following statement on Monday.

"To become a district that serves all students well, HISD must use data and on-the-job observation to staff every school with a leader who will ensure consistent, high-quality instruction at their campus.

"When making decisions about school leaders, the first – and in some ways, most critical – piece of data HISD evaluates is the quality of a school. In most cases, if a school has an A or B rating, that is a strong indication that the principal is creating the kind of learning environment students need. When a school is rated C or lower, it often means the school is not serving students well on a consistent basis. And where campuses are not meeting the needs of all kids, HISD must examine what is happening at the school. That starts with the school’s leadership.

"HISD, like all other districts, is making decisions about staffing for the 2024-2025 school year. All contract non-renewals for principals are unrelated to HISD’s overall budget challenges. Instead, these contract decisions are being made – again – with the goal of ensuring every student receives high-quality instruction, every day. In some cases, we hope principals who do not retain their current position for next school year will apply for assistant principal or other roles within HISD that will help the educator grow their instructional leadership.

"The district understands that leadership transitions are disruptive for the impacted school communities, and that the principal is often the most visible and accessible person on a campus. Division leaders will work with every impacted campus to identify each community’s priorities for their next school leader. That process will involve surveys, community meetings, and opportunities over the summer to meet with incoming principals.

"In all cases, we are asking our principals to finish the school year strong. HISD students need and deserve a full year of high-quality instruction in supportive, productive school environments.

"With regard to teachers, the District did not cut teaching positions as part of its work to right-size the HISD budget. In our non-NES schools, most decisions to retain or release a teacher are made by the principal and are based on data and classroom evaluation. Campuses that saw enrollment declines may have had to adjust their staffing for next school year, but – again – teaching positions were not cut in the HISD budget.

"At the District’s 85 NES and NES-aligned campuses, principals used data to determine which teachers are eligible to continue working in the NES and will be retained in their current positions based on the school’s projected enrollment. Employees who are not eligible to continue working in the NES but meet the requirements for non-NES positions in HISD are encouraged to apply for those available roles."

 

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