Dr. Roger Brown was named superintendent of Humble ISD on Jan. 8 after eight months serving as the district’s interim superintendent. Previously, he served the district as associate superintendent over special services from 2014 through 2017, before being named deputy superintendent in 2017.

“I’m just very blessed to be part of Humble ISD and to serve in the district that has strong student and staff dedication to excellence,” Brown said. “I love this community and the way we’re engaged and supportive.”

Brown replaces Elizabeth Fagen, whose contract was terminated on Nov. 26. Fagen had been superintendent since 2016. 

With Brown in charge, his priorities as superintendent of Humble ISD include increasing safety of campuses and improving the district’s state ratings by increasing the number of students who become “College, Career and Military Readiness certified,” a distinction set up by the TEA.

At the beginning of this school year, EVOLVE weapon detectors were installed at Turner Stadium. Every fan had to walk through the detectors before entering the stadium. Kingwood Park, like all high schools in the district, will soon require students to walk through EVOLVE weapon detectors to get into the building each day.

“Well, you know, safety is always at the top of the list,” Brown said. “We are moving to enhance our facilities as well like [Turner Stadium] at our high schools. And so, that’s always a top priority.”

In addition, improving state ratings will involve trying to get every student to graduate CCMR certified. Some factors taken into consideration for becoming CCMR certified are results on AP tests, EOC scores and industry-based certifications.

“We get our scores and we look at our data that comes in every summer,” Brown said. “And so based on that we plan a district improvement plan and campus improvement plans focused on making sure that we’re providing students the best opportunity to be successful.”

That initiative has already begun. During the first week of the semester, all Kingwood Park students were given a checklist during advisory on what is required to become CCMR certified.

“It’s always been something we’ve done, something the district’s done, but now we’re just looking at it a little more targeted into making sure all those things line up to make our students successful,” principal Wes Solomon said. 

Another initiative that Brown is already seeing improvement from is improved attendance numbers. Last year, the district averaged 92% daily attendance. Since attendance was tied back to final exam exemptions this year, the average daily attendance is up to 94%. The new rules stated students couldn’t miss more than four days of a class and still exempt that final.

Part of the funding from the state is tied to attendance.

“If this trend continues, this semester, we expect to receive about an additional $3.5 million due to attendance, so that’s really good,” Brown said.

Brown is the president of Lake Houston Rotary, a board member of the Lake Houston Chamber and Northeast Hospital Authority. He attends and speaks at retired teacher meetings, school foundation meetings and more. He also attended the school musical “Barnum” opening night. 

“He’s very personable. He wants to get to know you, he’s very accessible,” Solomon said. “I think the biggest impact he’s had so far, as a superintendent, is just providing direction, which direction we’re moving.” 

Brown has a clear vision for the district. He has spent years as an active member of the community, and he has four current grandchildren attending school in Humble ISD. 

With political debates about public education making headlines in Texas and nationwide, Brown encourages people to reach out if there are concerns or questions about what experiences their child will get in Humble ISD. 

“Give me a call,” Brown said. “Let’s go visit a school or attend a school activity and see firsthand the great work of our students and staff, and the proof is actually witnessing the performance of our kids and our teachers.”