HOUSTON – Frustrated Lantrip Elementary parents gathered Wednesday morning to protest the abrupt dismissal of their principal, calling for transparency and stability in Houston Independent School District.
The protest was held outside the school on Nov. 20 from 7:15 to 7:45 a.m., demanding answers from HISD regarding the sudden removal of Principal Valiza Castro.
This marks the second principal turnover at Lantrip this year and comes amidst broader concerns about leadership instability, with a reported 70% teacher turnover rate since June.
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Parents describe Castro as an extraordinary leader whose removal after just three months has left the school community shaken.
“Her dedication has transformed our school. Removing her without explanation after just three months is unacceptable,” said Jannica Palmer, a Lantrip parent. “This takeover is harming our children and schools—we demand the superintendent be removed and local control be restored.”
HISD’s decision to place Castro on administrative leave follows a string of leadership changes across the district, sparking frustration among parents who are calling for increased transparency and stability.
“I have seen Principal Castro’s leadership firsthand, and there is no one I trust more to oversee my special needs child’s education and care,” said Leah Garabedian. “She has a rare gift—warmth and strength in equal measure. My son loves her and listens to her. I don’t know what to tell him when he asks where she is.”
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Here is the district’s official response regarding the leadership change at Lantrip Elementary:
Dear Lantrip Elementary School families, Principal Valiza Castro has been put on administrative leave effective today, November 18, 2024. Assistant Principal Valdez is leading the school’s operations today, and an interim principal will be assigned within the next few days. District Leadership will work alongside Lantrip families to build a principal profile to guide the hiring of a new permanent principal for the next academic year. We know this shift is abrupt and that parents will have questions and concerns. Ultimately, we believe this shift will best support your child’s learning and the workplace experience for Lantrip teachers and staff. This leadership change will NOT impact any programming at the school, including the Environmental Science magnet program. We are committed to finding an interim leader and then a permanent leader who will team a high-performing team, sustain a positive high-performance culture, and guide intentional high-quality learning for each child, each day by design, not by chance. We will send an update when the interim principal is named.
Some are also calling for the removal of HISD Superintendent Mike Miles and a return to local control over the district.
Wednesday’s protest is the latest expression of discontent with HISD leadership after recent controversies at other schools, including Harvard Elementary, where parents have voiced concerns over repeated principal changes and lack of communication.