NYC DOE Executive Superintendent for Queens South Takes Job in Manor, Texas

Dr. Andre Spencer  

The first thing I want to know is why Dr, Andre Spencer is moving away from New York City and his job at the NYC Department of Education. He started here in September 2018.

We just don't know, but thought you might want this information.

Betsy Combier
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Manor ISD announces lone finalist for the district’s new superintendent
MANOR, TX – After a wide-ranging and exhaustive Superintendent search process which attracted more than 35 applicants from across the country, the Manor ISD Board of Trustees are proud to announce that Dr. Andre Spencer has been named the Lone Finalist for the position of Superintendent of Schools.

Currently, Dr. Andre D. Spencer serves as an Executive Superintendent in the New York City Department of Education, overseeing schools in Queens South—Districts 27, 28 and 29.  He has worked alongside other Superintendents and the Executive Director of the Borough Office to improve achievement outcomes for all scholars ensuring they contribute to the common good in our society.  He strongly believes that every scholar should receive an equitable education that will prepare them for college, career and life. 

Dr. Spencer served as Superintendent of Schools for Harrison School District 2 in Colorado Springs, Colorado from 2013-2018.  He has also worked in the Baltimore City Public School System for 13 years as a science teacher, assistant principal, principal, and network team lead.  In addition, Dr. Spencer served as a school leadership officer in the Houston Independent School District. 

Dr. Spencer is a graduate of the National Superintendent Certification program through AASA: The School Superintendents Association.  He is also the Superintendents’ Commission Chairperson for the National Alliance of Black School Educators; and was recognized as the Superintendent of the Year by The Education Center in Denver, Colorado.  Dr. Spencer is a graduate of The Broad Academy Class of 2017.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a Master of Science degree in Science (Biology) from Morgan State University, Doctoral Fellowship in Science Education from Morgan State University and a Doctor of Education degree from Capella University.  Dr. Spencer also holds a Human Resource Management Certificate from Southern New Hampshire University.

“I am extremely excited to join the Manor ISD Family.  I want to express my sincere thanks to the Board of Trustees, students, staff and community for seeing my dedication and commitment.”

– Dr. Andre Spencer

The Superintendents search was conducted by the law firm of O’Hanlon, Demerath, & Castillo, in conjunction with Dr. Abelardo Saavedra and Dr. Daniel King.

Manor ISD will now enter the 21-day waiting period required by state law.

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But we do know that the previous Superintendent, Royce Avery, left Manor SD because of complaints:

Royce Avery

The Manor school board has approved hiring an outside attorney to conduct an investigation of Superintendent Royce Avery regarding an employee complaint alleging discrimination, harassment or retaliation.

At a specially called meeting Tuesday night, the board also voted to hire a different lawyer to serve as a hearing officer in an unrelated grievance against a fellow trustee. The board did not disclose the specifics of that grievance or say which trustee the complaint was made against.

The board met behind closed doors for more than three hours to address the two issues before voting 5-0 to hire lawyer Kevin Lungwitz to conduct an investigation into the complaint against Avery. Another 5-0 vote authorized hiring lawyer Ifeoma Ibekwe to serve as the hearing officer in the grievance — a formal complaint that demands resolution — against the unnamed trustee.

Trustees Sam Samaripa and Temeika Thomas were missing from the dais at the time of the votes. Both had been present at the beginning of the meeting and during the closed door deliberations, but they did not return to the dais when the board reconvened into open session.

The specifics of the complaint against Avery are unknown, but school board documents from a previous meeting describe it as a “DIA complaint,” which under district policy “addresses discrimination, harassment and retaliation involving district employees.”

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