Humble ISD board appoints Roger Brown as superintendent, approves three-year contract in 6-1 vote

The Humble Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 6-1 to name Roger Brown superintendent and approve a three-year contract effective immediately. Trustee Holmes made the motion and Trustee Scarfo seconded; the board chair announced the motion passed 6-1.

The vote capped a special public meeting that featured public comment from district employees and community members who both defended Brown and urged changes in district oversight. Deanie Allen, a reading specialist and dyslexia specialist, urged the district to change how it uses the STAAR and diagnostic tests for struggling readers, saying, “Why are we making those very students who have fallen so very hard far behind practice taking the STAAR test again and again and again. We know they will fail.” Adrianna Maxwell, a community speaker, criticized past supervisory and human-resources failures and cited a Title IX complaint filed in August 2020, saying the situation showed “the inability of organizational controls to maintain compliance” and warning, “there is something rotten in Denmark.”

Two speakers who identified themselves as community members voiced support for Brown. Eric Gomez, a business owner and Rotarian, praised Brown’s “unwavering commitment to service above self.” Holly Hamm, who said her children attend Humble ISD, called Brown “the right person at the right time” and urged trustees to approve his appointment.

Trustee debate focused less on Brown’s qualifications and more on the district’s hiring process. Trustee Sitton said he would vote against the appointment because he believes the district did not follow a sufficient competitive process: the position was posted for 10 days, eight applications were received and, Sitton said, “Not a single person including Doctor Brown was interviewed.” Sitton added, “We have not followed a process.” Several trustees countered that the board followed the process the majority agreed to, noted that the position was posted publicly, and referenced the lone-finalist waiting period that had occurred before the vote. Trustee Grabowski said the board had effectively interviewed Brown over nine months of working with him and that “there is no set process” for hiring a superintendent beyond what the trustees chose to follow.

Trustees who spoke in favor described Brown’s long experience in the district and changes to the contract negotiated in closed session. Trustee Scarfo said the contract is a three-year agreement, not automatic or evergreen, and that several items trustees opposed previously were removed. Trustee Holmes said the district had experienced “an immense amount of trauma” and that naming a leader now would help restore stability.

After the vote, Roger Brown accepted the appointment, thanking trustees, staff and his family. Brown said he views the role as a service position: “It’s about service,” he said, adding that he is “excited” to work with the district on academics, safety and continued growth. He noted he has worked in the district for 11 years and that his family is invested in the community.

The board signed the contract at the meeting and adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

Votes at a glance: Motion to appoint Roger Brown as superintendent and approve the superintendent contract — mover: Trustee Holmes; seconder: Trustee Scarfo; outcome: approved 6-1. Trustee Sitton was the lone opposing vote; the other six trustees voted in favor (individual yes votes were not read into the record).