Houston ISD Fires Veteran Teacher Jamie Russo, Overruling State Recommendation
A contentious decision by the Houston ISD Board of Managers has led to the nonrenewal of Jamie Russo’s contract, a beloved 38-year teaching veteran. This move directly contradicts the recommendation of an independent hearing examiner, raising questions about teacher autonomy and district oversight in local schools.
The Core of the Dispute
Jamie Russo, who taught at the Mandarin Immersion Magnet School, became a focal point in the ongoing debates surrounding HISD’s educational reforms. Her long tenure and strong support from students and parents underscore the gravity of the board’s decision, with students describing her class as a place of joy and significant learning.
District’s Stance: Performance and Policy
HISD cited poor performance and criticism of Superintendent Mike Miles as reasons for Russo’s nonrenewal. The district argued that an email Russo sent to parents, expressing her disagreement with Miles’ reforms and her low appraisal scores, violated board policy. HISD contended that First Amendment rights do not apply to employees acting in their official duties.
Russo’s Defense: Free Speech and Student Success
Russo, supported by her attorney Chris Tritico, maintained that her criticisms of Superintendent Miles and his reforms were protected free speech. Students testified passionately about Russo’s positive impact, including significant reading level improvements for a hearing-impaired student and engaging classroom projects like raising butterflies. Russo also publicly challenged the district’s library dismantling, stating she hoped to “watch this dictatorship fall.”
The Independent Examiner’s Role and Rejection
An independent hearing examiner, appointed by the Texas Education Agency, investigated the case and found HISD failed to provide sufficient credible evidence for Russo’s nonrenewal. The examiner concluded that the district’s allegations were unsupported, contradicted, and that Russo’s speech did not cause disruption or interfere with her duties. However, the appointed HISD Board of Managers—Ric Campo, Lauren Gore, and Michelle Cruz Arnold—chose to reject this recommendation and approved Russo’s firing.
Broader Implications for HISD
This case is not isolated; HISD has processed over 700 teacher contract nonrenewals in the 2024-25 school year, and its teacher turnover rate is 1.7 times the state’s average. The district emphasized adherence to “rules and instructional strategies,” suggesting a preference for standardized methods over a teacher’s individual successful practices, even when those practices lead to 100% student growth, as Russo’s class demonstrated.
| Aspect | HISD’s Position | Hearing Examiner’s Finding |
|---|---|---|
| Nonrenewal Basis | Poor performance, policy violation, criticism of Superintendent | Insufficient evidence, allegations unsupported by credible testimony |
| Teacher’s Speech | Not protected when acting in official duties (email) | Protected by First Amendment; no evidence of disruption |
| Performance Scores | Low evaluation scores | “Spot scores” too inconsistent to be considered deficiencies |
What’s Next?
Jamie Russo has expressed her intent to appeal the decision to the state, believing the firing is unjust and part of a larger pattern. This ongoing legal battle will likely continue to draw attention to the district’s teacher retention policies and the balance between administrative control and teacher autonomy in Houston schools.
FAQs for the Community
- Who is Jamie Russo?
Jamie Russo is a veteran teacher with 38 years of experience, most recently at Houston’s Mandarin Immersion Magnet School. - Why was she fired by HISD?
HISD cited poor performance and criticism of Superintendent Mike Miles as reasons, specifically an email sent to parents and a public comment about district leadership. - What did the independent examiner recommend?
The Texas Education Agency-appointed examiner found HISD’s evidence insufficient and recommended that Russo’s contract not be nonrenewed, citing First Amendment protections for her speech. - How does this decision impact other HISD teachers?
This case highlights the broader trend of high teacher turnover in HISD, which saw over 700 nonrenewals this year, and raises concerns among educators about job security and freedom of expression. - What are Ms. Russo’s next steps?
Ms. Russo plans to appeal the HISD Board of Managers’ decision to the state, seeking to overturn her termination.
This case serves as a powerful reminder for Houston parents and educators alike to remain engaged and advocate for transparent, fair processes in our local school district, especially concerning experienced teachers who deeply impact student lives.
HISD Fires Teacher Russo Overruling State Recommendation
