Charlie Malam is returning to his alma mater as high school principal.
Malam accepted an offer Wednesday to become Houston High School principal. He replaces first-year principal Brenda Dennis, whose contract was not renewed at the Feb. 14 school board meeting.
“This is the best possible outcome for our high school,” acting superintendent Scott Dill said. “We couldn’t be happier or prouder to have him back in Houston. There isn’t anyone who doesn’t respect Charlie Malam. He is exactly what we need right now.”
A 1981 Houston High School graduate, Malam served in various capacities for 21 years in the school district. He was the middle school principal in 2007 when he resigned to accept the same position at Willow Springs.
Malam was hired in 2009 as the superintendent at Raymondville Schools. He made the announcement to his staff Wednesday afternoon that he had accepted the position at Houston.
“It’s bittersweet in the sense that I’m excited to be back at my alma mater, but I’m leaving a very good work family here at Raymondville. They’re special,” Malam said. “This was a tough decision to step away from the job I have that is moving forward in such a positive way.”
Dill said the school board gave him authority to enter into contract negotiations with Malam, who was one of five finalists interviewed in January for the vacant Houston superintendent position, after Dennis’ contract for the 2012-’13 school year wasn’t renewed. Dill had been hired by the board to replace Dr. Dan Vandiver, who entered into a separation agreement with the district in December.
“In visiting with Mr. Dill and his goals for the district, they are exactly what I’m after,” Malam said. “I’m excited to get back on the team and see if we can move the district forward. I want to see Houston High School thought of as one of the top high schools in the state and one others want to model themselves after.”
Malam said he developed his administrative approach during leadership training that emphasized education is “people, not programs.” That will continue to be his approach when he returns to Houston.
“I’ll challenge every staff member to bring their best to the table every day –– to the job and classroom,” Malam said. “We owe that to the kids. We’re there to meet the students’ needs.”
Malam said he was blessed to receive his first job offer from his alma mater and looked forward to returning.
“I love what I do,” Malam said. “I love kids and value education. That’s been instilled me from the very beginning from my parents. I feel blessed that I’ve had the career of working at something I love to do. I look forward to the new challenges.”