'Heartbroken': HISD principal departures send families reeling

Houston ISD alerted dozens of teachers and principals of both performance-based job cuts and budget-forced reductions this week, prompting parents across the state's largest school system to plan another round of protests as the tumultuous school year under state takeover nears an end. Among the dozens of teachers and principals asked to leave: both the HISD Elementary and Middle School Principals of the Year in HISD in 2023. Neff Elementary Principal Amanda Wingard confirmed in a Facebook post Thursday that the school district asked her to resign. "I have loved Neff and the Sharpstown community for the last 35 years," wrote Wingard, who was honored at a banquet a year ago for her leadership.

Alongside her is 2022-23 Middle School Principal of the Year, Auden Sarabia, who told his staff at Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts this week that he was asked to resign or go before the Board of Managers, a teacher and parents confirmed. Saraba has worked for HISD for 18 years. Crockett Elementary Principal Alexis Clark is also not returning to her visual and performing arts magnet campus near the Heights. "I'm heartbroken. We're all heartbroken. I've done my best to protect my kids — they're young — from what's happening," said Liz Silva, PTO fundraising chair and incoming president. "Can't really avoid the topic anymore with them." Clark has been a staunch advocate for the campus, which is set to become one of appointed Superintendent Mike Miles' 40 new New Education System schools next year.