Interim Superintendent, Meet Dr. Darryl J. Henson

HITCHCOCK INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NAMES DR. DARRYL J. HENSON AS NEW INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

The Hitchcock Independent School District Board of Trustees is proud to announce the selection of Dr. Darryl J. Henson as the district's new Interim Superintendent. Dr. Henson, who is currently the Superintendent of the Marlin Independent School District, is a third-generation native of Galveston County, and his appointment marks a return to his roots.

Dr. Henson has served as Superintendent of Marlin ISD since 2020, where he has led a remarkable turnaround. Under his leadership, Marlin ISD has achieved significant academic and organizational success. The district received an overall B accountability rating in 2022, marking a 30-point increase from its 2019 rating and regaining full accreditation for the first time in almost a decade, since 2015. Marlin ISD has achieved the highest student growth in the state since 2015. And, Dr. Henson collaborated with the Texas Education Agency to transition a board of managers to an elected board and ensure the future of local governance in Marlin, Texas.

The success of Dr. Henson and Marlin ISD has been widely recognized. He was named the 2024-2025 Region 12 Superintendent of the Year and was one of the five finalists for Texas Superintendent of the Year. Under his leadership, Marlin ISD has consistently earned the highest rating on financial audits during his five year tenure. The district's efforts have also been recognized on a broader scale, with Marlin Elementary being named a National Demonstration School and Marlin ISD a State Demonstration District by the National Alliance of Black School Educators. Marlin ISD was also one of the first three districts accepted into the Texas Education Agency's (TEA) Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership Program.

"I am incredibly honored and humbled to be returning home to Galveston County, a place that holds so much history for my family and me," said Dr. Henson. "Hitchcock ISD is a district with immense potential and a strong sense of community. I am excited to work alongside our Board, dedicated teachers, staff, parents, and community members to build on the district's strengths and continue to create a legacy of excellence for all our students. This is more than a job for me; it's a homecoming, and I am committed to serving the community that shaped me."

Dr. Henson's career includes diverse leadership roles in districts across Texas, including Houston ISD, Ysleta ISD, Cedar Hill ISD, Pflugerville ISD, Lockhart ISD and Austin ISD. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from The University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Houston. The Hitchcock ISD Board of Trustees looks forward to welcoming Dr. Henson and his family to the community and is confident that his vision, leadership, and dedication will lead the district to new heights.