Huey Kinchen[/caption]During a special TISD school board meeting Feb. 9, the board voted to named Chief Academic Officer Martha Salazar-Zamora as the lone finalist for the superintendent role. She will take over when Kinchen retires March 31 if she is approved by the board, following a 21-day waiting period.
What brought you to work as an administrator in Tomball ISD?
I had an opportunity to become the principal of Tomball High School, but I was also looking for a community to raise my family. Both of my children attended our schools and graduated from Tomball High School. When I joined this school district, I knew I wanted to retire from Tomball. I have enjoyed my time in the district, and I’m fortunate to be retiring from Tomball ISD.
What will you miss the most about serving in TISD?
There are two things I will miss the most when I retire: I will miss visiting schools and working with our staff. I love to enter a school and feel the positive energy from the teachers and students. It’s uplifting and dynamic. Also, it has been a blessing to work with a dedicated staff. It’s a privilege to see our team continually striving to enhance educational opportunities for all students.
What are you most looking forward to about retirement?
School business is time-driven. Everything we do is planned and driven by minutes in a day. It will be nice to have a flexible schedule. This will allow me to spend more time with my family and enjoy some traveling.
What advice would you give to your successor?
I encourage the next superintendent to carry on the traditions and values of Tomball ISD and the Tomball community. Through the years, our school district has developed a foundation for excellence, which is partly due to the legacy and foundation established by our predecessors. I am confident that a solid structure is in place for our school district to continue moving forward as we serve our community. There are many oppositional forces attacking public education; therefore, it is imperative that we stay focused on our primary mission of providing a quality education.
What would you like to see for the future of the district?
Although this is a lofty goal, my desire is for every student to successfully pass all courses and state assessments. I would also like to see our school district recognized as the best with every student prepared to lead in creating the future.
