Houston votes to finalize hiring of superintendent

From The Houston Chronicle: Trustees of the Houston Independent School District have voted to finalize the hiring of Terry Grier as superintendent of the nation's seventh-largest district. He accepted a three-year contract that can be automatically extended another year. The 59-year-old Grier has been at the helm of the San Diego school system for the last 18 months. Grier's contract with Houston guarantees him a base salary of $300,000 a year, plus $19,200 for car and phone allowances. His other benefits increase over the length of his tenure, with the potential to earn $444,200 in his third year on the job.

AUGUST 2009...from The Houston Chronicle: An interview with Terry Grier, superintendent of the San Diego Unified District, after the Houston school board named him the sole finalist to take over its school district. More of the interview here.

Earlier...from The Houston Chronicle: The chief of the San Diego (Calif.) Unified School District — whose rapid-fire reforms have inflamed the teachers' union and impressed others — is the frontrunner to lead the Houston Independent School District. The Houston school board is expected to name veteran educator Terry Grier as its lone finalist for superintendent. Grier, who took over in San Diego 18 months ago, has been berated and beloved as the leader of eight different districts in 25 years. Houston, the nation's seventh-largest school district, would be Grier's biggest job yet. He would replace Abelardo Saavedra, who is stepping down Aug. 31 after a five-year stint. Also...from The San Diego Union-Tribune: Grier's reported departure threatens to once again spin San Diego Unified's revolving door of leadership.