Houstonians of the Year: Duncan Klussmann

Houston Chronicle Outlook Section
Dec. 20, 2014

Editors with the Houston Chronicle’s Outlook section voted recently to name SBISD Superintendent Duncan Klussmann, Ed.D., as one of three Houstonians of the Year. The Chronicle named honorees on Dec. 21, 2014. Joining Dr. Klussmann were University of Houston Chancellor and President Renu Khator and Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School founder and President Father TJ Martinez. The Rev. Martinez passed away late last year.

Photo by Gary Fountain/Freelance

Being school superintendent is a tough job, and it is rarely executed with as much grace and finesse as shown by Duncan Klussmann over the past 11 years. Klussmann, who recently announced his retirement in 2015, stands out as one of the most progressive and collaborative superintendents in the state. "He has positioned an entire generation of students to be excellent leaders, coworkers, neighbors and friends for our Houston community and beyond," said Susan Kellner, former Spring Branch Independent School District board member.

There's a stereotype of the much-maligned educational administrator. That administrator operates in a silo, is extravagant with taxpayer dollars, is fearful of systemic change and perhaps doesn't even like children. Klussmann turns these broad-brush generalizations on their heads. Klussmann led Spring Branch ISD through lean times while balancing the budget, developed innovative partnerships while continuing Spring Branch ISD's hallmark pre-K program and kept taxes down while working to pass the largest bond proposal in the district's history.

Photo by Gary Fountain/Freelance

Klussmann, who grew up in Brenham and Huntsville, always knew he wanted to lead an organization. But as a young man, he thought that organization would be a business. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with degrees in international administration and finance, Klussmann took a job in the corporate world. But when he volunteered for Junior Achievement, he realized that he liked working with kids more than business. He decided to become a teacher and returned to school to earn his doctorate in education. Colleagues maintain that one secret to Klussmann's success as superintendent is that he has always missed the classroom.

Klussmann has earned our recognition as Houstonian of the Year not only for his accomplishments but for his collaborative approach. Klussmann credits his board and community for teaching him a lot. Klussmann favored a smaller bond issue but in 2007, his board recommended a record-sized bond issue of $597 million for the district. "If you put your faith in collaboration, the community will usually get it right," he said.

When each of his three children chose different schools within Spring Branch ISD, Klussmann learned first-hand that some parents and students appreciate a choice in schools. His openness to new collaborations led to the creation of the SKY Partnership with KIPP and YES Prep Public Schools, the first public charter school program of its kind in the city. It's been a hit with students and parents, as hundreds of students have enrolled in the district to take advantage of one of its options.

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