HISD May Name New Elementary School for Rod Paige

Originally Published:
June 18, 2007

Source:
HISD Connect

Rod Paige, a former U.S. Secretary of Education and HISD superintendent of schools and Board of Education member, would have a school in Houston named for him if a plan proposed by community leaders and parents is approved.

A committee of school leaders, community officials, parents, and business partners has recommended naming the new school built to replace the old James Bowie Elementary School (7501 Curry Street) for Dr. Paige.

"The naming committee believes that because Dr. Paige has made many significant contributions to the academic progress of students in HISD, forged meaningful partnerships between schools and businesses, and increased support for public education on a national platform, it is fitting to name this facility in his honor," the proposal to the HISD board states.

The school board will review the plan at a meeting on Thursday, June 21, at 7:30 a.m., and will officially vote on it at the board meeting on Monday, June 25.

Dr. Paige was confirmed as the seventh U.S. Secretary of Education on January 21, 2001, becoming the first school superintendent to hold the post. He is the son of a school principal and a librarian, and he has dedicated his life to education. He is a native of Mississippi, where he attended segregated schools and earned a bachelor’s degree from Jackson State University. He earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from Indiana University.

Dr. Paige was dean of the College of Education at Texas Southern University, and was elected in 1989 to the HISD Board of Education. He was appointed superintendent of HISD in 1994 after helping lead the school board to adopt A Declaration of Beliefs and Visions, HISD’s core ideology. He and the school board led HISD to great academic and organizational success, and he was named national superintendent of the year by the American Association of School Administrators.

In Washington, he helped President Bush to win approval of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, a historic reform of American education policy.

"It was Dr. Paige who put HISD on the map," said HISD Board Member Kevin H. Hoffman. "As the first African-American superintendent of HISD and secretary of education, he exhibited incredible leadership skills. His integrity and unique ability to develop strong partnerships have served our city, state, and country well. I am proud to have been able to serve with him."

Roderick Paige Elementary School would be located at 7501 Curry Street.

For more information, contact the HISD Press Office at 713-556-6393

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