Houston ISD CFO announces retirement

Melinda Garrett has announced her retirement from the Houston Independent School District in December.

According to a press release, Garrett has been with HISD for 30 years and has been managing the district's finances since 2001. During her tenure with the district, she earned many awards and accolades.

"I am deeply honored to have had the privilege of serving the children, taxpayers and employees of HISD for all these years," Garrett said in the release."But I'm ready to start this next chapter of my life, spending time with my husband and our family."

While Garrett has been with HISD, it has maintained the highest possible bond rating and lowest property rates. It has also been recognized at the national level for its financial accountability. In 2011, it was the first U.S. school district to win the Award of Excellence in Financial Management from the Council of the Great City Schools in three years.

"No single person has contributed more than Melinda Garrett toward HISD's national reputation as a model district when it comes to managing taxpayer money with a focus on doing what is best for children," Superintendent Terry Grier said in the press.

Garret is a graduate of Bellaire High School and holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Texas Woman's University. She began working at HISD in 1976 as a kindergarten teacher and worked her way from teacher to controller before becoming the CFO in 2001.