Board of Education to consider authorizing request for school partnership proposals

The HISD Board of Education on Thursday will consider whether to authorize the district to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for school partnerships, as outlined under Senate Bill 1882.

The board’s regular monthly meeting begins at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 13, in the Manuel Rodríguez Jr. Board Auditorium of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 W. 18th St., 77092. Click here to view the full agenda.

Entities eligible to be considered for partnerships are non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, or governmental organizations.

School partnerships will only be awarded by the board after community input is received, and after specific performance expectations and other key terms are developed and approved by the Texas Education Agency.

Trustees are also expected to consider an agenda item that would allow the board to host Lone Star Governance (LSG) training for the community to foster communication and understanding between the board and the public.

LSG training is aimed at providing a continuous improvement model for governing school boards with the primary objective of improving student outcomes.

The proposed LSG training would be held over a period of two days in March 2019.

Also during the meeting, the board will consider adopting a resolution in support of the fight to end gang violence in the City of Houston.

Recognizing that the concern over gang-related violence extends beyond school grounds to each student’s home and community, trustees are expected to formally pledge their ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of every student.

Adoption of this resolution would reaffirm the board’s position on school safety matters and encourage the expansion and strengthening of efforts to combat gang activity in Houston.

In recent weeks, Dr. Lathan and board members have visited various HISD campuses to reassure students, staff, and their surrounding communities that the district actively works to provide a safe environment.

Also on Thursday, trustees will consider whether to conduct an open or closed search for a superintendent of schools.

An open search makes the identities of all or some candidates public, while a closed search keeps the identities of candidates confidential until the board names a finalist or finalists for the position.