Category Archives: Board of Education

Richard A. Carranza named sole finalist for HISD superintendent

Veteran educator known for innovative work promoting bilingualism, global citizenship and addressing students’ social and emotional needs

The Houston ISD Board of Education on Wednesday named Richard A. Carranza as the sole finalist for superintendent of the nation’s seventh-largest school district. The vote was unanimous.

By Texas law, the board now must wait 21 days before taking a final vote on whether to hire Carranza.

Carranza is a life-long educator who served as a teacher, principal and in other leadership posts before rising to his most recent position as superintendent of the 53,000-student San Francisco Unified School District in California. Last year, Education Week profiled Carranza as a national 2015 Leader to Learn From. Fluent in English and Spanish, Carranza has led one of California’s most diverse, high-achieving public school systems since 2012.

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Board of Education to consider superintendent candidates

Trustees could vote to name finalist or finalists

The Houston ISD Board of Education will meet Wednesday morning to discuss superintendent candidates, and possibly announce a finalist or finalists for the position. Continue reading →

HISD officials discuss impact of sending millions back to the state under “recapture” process

Property values in Houston are rising every year, but many of the tax dollars generated by that growth don’t stay with Houston schools. HISD must send $162 million – equal to half-a-million dollars per school – to the state of Texas this school year under a process called “recapture.”

In the latest episode of Up Close with Manuel Rodriguez, the HISD board president discusses this school funding model and its effects on HISD with Ashlea Graves, HISD director of government relations, and Glenn Reed, HISD general manager of budgeting and financial planning.

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Board considers options for sending $162 million in local property taxes to state

On the heels of last week’s Texas Supreme Court ruling declaring the state’s school finance system flawed, but constitutional, Houston ISD trustees met Thursday to discuss options for complying with the system’s requirement that HISD pay the state $162 million using local tax revenues.

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District response to federal nondiscrimination guidance

The Houston Independent School District recognizes and respects each student’s right to an education experience that is free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation. Although HISD policy does not specifically address the issue of student restroom access, HISD Board policy does expressly prohibit discrimination, including harassment and retaliation, against any student on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression, or on any other basis prohibited by law. When restroom access questions arise, campus administrators are counseled to make accommodations that are aligned with the letter and spirit of the district’s policy prohibiting student discrimination, harassment and retaliation.

Board of Education approves new school names

The Houston ISD Board of Education on Thursday approved new names for seven schools that were recommended by committees of students, parents, teachers, alumni, civic leaders and principals.

Earlier this year, the Board of Education voted to start the process of choosing new names for schools that will better reflect the district’s values and diversity. The new names will be in effect beginning with the upcoming 2016-2017 school year. The new campus names are as follows: Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education adopts school funding formula

The HISD Board of Education on Thursday unanimously approved a school funding proposal that aims to minimize the impact of looming budget cuts on classrooms.

HISD must send a projected $165 million in local property tax dollars to the state because the Texas school finance systems considers the district wealthy. Nearly 80 percent of HISD students come from low-income households. The projected deficit was previously $107 million, but rising property values have reduced that amount to $95 million.

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HISD Board of Education to consider Kashmere High School construction contract

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday is expected to consider a construction contract for Kashmere High School, which is undergoing significant renovation as part of the 2012 Bond Program.

The bid for the renovation work was submitted by DT Construction in response to a February request for competitive sealed proposals. The proposal — one of three submitted — includes a base bid of $13 million with a construction contingency of $1.1 million, meaning the total costs would not exceed $14.1 million. Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education tables plan detailing distribution of funds to schools for 2016-2017

Trustees also approve renaming Reagan High School, new name for Grady Middle School

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education voted Thursday to postpone consideration of a plan detailing how funding will be distributed to campuses across the district for the 2016-2017 school year. Continue reading →