Category Archives: Board of Education

HISD mourns loss of Board of Education Trustee Manuel Rodríguez Jr.


The HISD family is mourning the passing of Board of Education District III Trustee Manuel Rodríguez Jr., a dedicated servant to the children of Houston for 14 years and himself a product of HISD schools.

Rodríguez, who passed away on Wednesday, was elected to the board in 2003 and held every office, including assistant secretary, second vice president, first vice president, and in 2016, president of the Board of Education.

“We are heartbroken by the passing of Trustee Rodríguez, who was a pillar in the HISD community,” said Superintendent Richard Carranza. “He was a true advocate for educating all children and a champion for change. He was a wise man, a mentor, and a friend to us all. We will forever be indebted to him by his service to public education. His legacy will live on.” Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education approves 2017-2018 school year budget

Proposed budget includes almost $49 million for salary increases, $2.2 million for special education

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday approved a 2017-2018 school year budget that includes almost $49 million in salary increases and $2.2 million for special education.

The salary increases are designed to ensure the district is providing all employees with a competitive and livable wage, while the special education funding is designed to provide that department with essential additional resources. Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education to consider proposed 2017-2018 budget during Thursday meeting

Proposed budget includes $48.6 million for salary increases, $2.2 million for special education

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday will consider a proposed 2017-2018 school year budget that includes $48.6 million in salary increases and $2.2 million for special education.

The salary increases are designed to ensure the district is providing all employees with a competitive and livable wage, while the special education funding is designed to provide that department with essential additional resources. Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education approves changes to 2017-2018 Code of Student Conduct

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education approved a proposal to update the 2017-2018 Code of Student Conduct.

Among the changes is a plan to offer alternatives in some cases to students who have been referred to the district’s Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP). Other changes include reclassifying the level of some non-statutory offenses and aligning the code with the district’s recently adopted policy banning suspensions in second grade and below. Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education to consider changes to 2017-2018 Code of Student Conduct

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education will vote Thursday on a proposal to update the 2017-2018 Code of Student Conduct.

Among the proposed changes is a plan to offer alternatives in some cases to students who have been referred to the district’s Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP). Other proposed changes include reclassifying the level of some non-statutory offenses and aligning the code with the district’s recently adopted policy banning suspensions in second grade and below. Continue reading →

HISD Police sends student safety reminder for graduation and summer break

With the school year winding down, HISD Police is joining forces with local religious leaders, school district administrators, and law enforcement agencies to emphasize the importance of student safety.

The message is a key part of Project Safe Start. Established in 1989, the program aims to beef up police patrols in and around campuses during the last week of school to help prevent criminal activity and increase student safety as summer vacation begins.

“In HISD, our job is not over until every child makes it home safely,” HISD Police Lt. James Bridges said. “We take this responsibility very seriously, and the commitment to ensuring that this is accomplished each day.”

Continue reading →

HISD board to discuss partnership with City of Houston to help at-risk, non-traditional students

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday will consider a partnership with the City of Houston that would allow HISD to use community-based multiservice centers to help reach non-traditional, at-risk students.

If approved, the partnership between HISD, the City of Houston Health Department, and the Mayor’s Office of Education would allow the district to offer its program through seven designated multiservice centers. Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education approves plan to use bond surplus funds to address outstanding bond campus and district needs

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday approved a plan allowing nearly $99.1 million in forecasted bond surplus to be used for outstanding needs at bond campuses across the district.

About $20.3 million of the projected surplus comes from addition and renovation projects, while about $52 million comes from new school projects. Another $12 million in surplus comes from districtwide projects and $14.8 million from construction contingency.

Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education approves special education program review

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday approved a proposal to select American Institutes for Research to implement a comprehensive Special Education Program Review.

In preparation for the 2017-18 school year, and in response to feedback from the community and HISD staff, HISD is re-evaluating how it delivers special education services to students and families. The Special Education Program Review will help the district’s efforts to improve special education services. Continue reading →

HISD hosting special education parent forums 

District taking look at how to better provide services

HISD is inviting parents to three special education forums where they can ask questions and provide comments as part of a broader effort to reform special education services in the district.

The meetings will be hosted by the HISD Office of Special Education Services, which supports students with disabilities in gaining college and career readiness and independent living skills through active engagement in grade level curriculum. Continue reading →