Harold H. Hitt

Dr. Harold H. Hitt, age 90, former Superintendent of Schools of the San Antonio Independent School District passed away peacefully at 4:00 A.M. on September 11, 2001 at Methodist Hospital following a short stay for illness. Dr. Hitt was born on September 7, 1911 in Midlothian, Texas. He received his B.S. degree on May 25, 1937 and his Masters Degree on August 22, 1942 from North Texas State Teachers College. On August 28, 1953 he was the First graduate candidate to earn a Doctoral Degree from North Texas State. Dr. Hitt was preceded in death by his wives Veda and Sarah and brother, Warren Hitt. He is survived by his beloved wife, Lucy and her two children Melissa and Rudolph, two sons, Merritt and wife Barbara Hitt, San Antonio, Warren Hitt, MD and wife Susan, Panama City, FL., and daughter Elizabeth Burks, Austin, TX and eight grandchildren. Dr. Hitt's career spanned a period of 47 years. He began his career as a classroom teacher in Hale Center, Texas. He served as teacher coordinator in Willbarger, Tx. He then went on to serve as a Visiting Teacher and Principal with the Dallas Independent School District. From 1953 to 1967 he was superintendent of the Midland Independent School District. In 1967 he became superintendent of schools for the San Antonio Independent School District where he remained until his retirement in 1982. He was acknowledged and recognized statewide and nationally for his expertise in school finance. He is credited with remodeling five high schools and building new facilities for Fox Tech, Brackenridge, and Sidney Lanier High Schools including the air conditioning of all eight facilities under his leadership, the San Antonio Independent School District implemented a voluntary plan of action for the integration of students and professional staff which became a model for the U.S. Office of Civil Rights in their attempts to integrate other urban school systems in the United States. He also was at the forefront in appointing minority educators to the central office in top administrative positions.