Houston schools chief plans to retire
February 04, 2009 11:30 AM
HOUSTON (AP) - Houston Independent School District Superintendent Abelardo Saavedra says he's retiring next year.
Saavedra, the district's first Hispanic superintendent, said at a news conference Wednesday he will step down by spring 2010. He has led Texas' largest school district since 2004.
Saavedra says he announced his retirement now to give the school board enough time to conduct a national search for his successor.
The Houston district is the seventh-largest in the country with about 200,000 students and a $1.6 billion budget.
