One more Chron overview of an HISD Trustee race, this one in District IX where three candidates are challenging incumbent and Board President Larry Marshall.
During the last several months, Marshall has had a tumultuous stint as board president. The 77-year-old has lashed out at his fellow trustees — once saying they had “an overly inflated” view of themselves — and sparked criticism for not allowing some items onto meeting agendas.
Marshall, though, points to his success at leading the board through an intense search for a superintendent — a process that ended with a unanimous vote to hire Terry Grier. Marshall also notes that HISD has won praise for its healthy finances during his tenure on the board.
“I’ve made a difference,” said Marshall, who runs an education and management consulting business.
Marshall has had some electoral challenges before – he was forced into a runoff in 2005 by Daisy Maura, who has endorsed Adrian Collins in this race. Collins also has the support of the Houston Federation of Teachers, who had backed Marshall in 2005. And of course, he has his former boss, State Sen. Rodney Ellis, in his corner as well, plus the Chron’s endorsement. You can listen to my interview with Adrian Collins here. The HISD Parent Visionaries is backing George Davis. I don’t know if Marshall will survive again, but I think it’s safe to say we’ll have another runoff this year.