Category Archives: Board of Education

January is School Board Recognition Month 

January is School Board Recognition Month, and the Houston Independent School District is joining other districts across the state to honor local leaders for their dedication and willingness to serve as advocates for public schools. 

These dedicated public servants become school board trustees to serve as advocates for school children because they are committed to improving public education and their communities. 

School board members devote many hours to making sure students receive a high-quality education and are provided with schools that are safe and have the resources and instructional programs to educate them to their fullest potential.  

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Community meetings scheduled on board goals

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education will be hosting several districtwide meetings to discuss the district’s board goals.

The focus of these meetings will be to better understand the educational expectations of parents, students, and stakeholders.

All community members are invited to attend and share their thoughts on the student outcomes they believe to be most important.

[su_document url=”https://blogs.houstonisd.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/10/BoE_Goals-Community-Mtgs-10.21.19_ENG.pdf” height=”840″]

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HISD Board of Education approves budget to raise minimum wage to $14 an hour

With a vote of 5-1, HISD’s Board of Education passed the budget for the 2019-2020 school year that will increase the district’s minimum wage from $12 an hour to $14 an hour. 

Trustees proposed and adopted an amendment that included $17 million in department cuts but any staff reductions as a result would be offset by utilizing fund balance. 

The spending plan mandates that district employees will see no increase in health insurance premiums.

The budget approved provides teachers, full-time counselors, full-time nurses, full-time librarians and other educational professionals with raises ranging from 3.5 percent to 8 percent, depending on years of service in HISD.

Trustees also approved increasing bus drivers’ minimum wage to $18/an hour.

The board also approved an amendment to provide no raises for staff earning more than $75,000 per year.  Instead, these employees would receive a one-time bonus of $1000 and two extra vacation days.

HISD’s administrators had presented a balanced budget for consideration to the Board of Education that included raises for every district employee and no staff reductions.

Several other amendments were made by Trustees which administrators will be analyzing over the next several days to incorporate into the budget.

HISD salutes Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education issued a proclamation during its regular meeting declaring the month of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in HISD. 

To join the district in celebrating APAHM, click here to download lesson plans, student activities, and guides designed for teachers seeking ways to include Asian Pacific American information in the classroom.  

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Interim Superintendent outlines Strategic Priorities for HISD’s 2019-20 school year

HISD Interim Superintendent Lathan recently presented to the Board of Education Trustees during a board workshop and to the district’s principals at their monthly meeting the five Strategic Priorities for the 2019-2020 school year: 

  • Expanding Educational Opportunities 
  • Ensuring Student Health, Safety and Well-Being 
  • Transforming Academic Outcomes 
  • Increasing Organizational Efficiency 
  • Cultivating Team HISD Talent 

Expanding educational opportunities is a high priority for Lathan, who plans to build upon an innovative and dynamic style of curriculum that not only challenges students’ knowledge but also cultivates their creativity.  

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HISD budget proposal for 2019-2020 includes no cuts to campus PUA, no pay increases

Houston Independent School District Chief Financial Officer Rene Barajas today will present a proposed budget to Board of Education trustees for the 2019-2020 school year. 

The proposed budget is based on current law and includes a $36 million deficit. This deficit is arrived at by estimating several key variables, the most important of which include property values, student enrollment, and recapture obligations. 

Under this proposal, the campus per unit allocation, or PUA, would not be cut by $73, and there would be no cuts to schools or departments. However, this does not prevent departments from reorganizing.  The budget proposal does not include pay increases or step increases for any employee group. 

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HISD Interim Superintendent surprises students with $5,000 scholarships

Throughout the month of April, ten outstanding HISD seniors were surprised with 2019 HISD Superintendent and Board of Education Scholar Awards totaling $50,000.  

HISD Superintendent and Board of Education Scholar Awards, in the amount of $2,000, are presented annually to graduating seniors who have exemplified great character and resilience in the face of adversity. One senior from every HISD high school will receive scholarships. 

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Board approves annual team-building sessions, hears superintendent search survey results

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday approved an annual team-building session between trustees and the superintendent with the aim to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the board.

A search for a permanent superintendent will continue after trustees voted 5-3 against suspending the search.

Trustees also approved an agreement to allow deputies with the Harris County Sheriff’s Department to conduct active-shooter training at an HISD facility. The Houston Independent School District Police Department conducts its own training on a regular basis. Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education elects new president, officers for 2019

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday elected new officers for 2019, naming District VIII Trustee Diana Dávila as board president.

Dávila served as HISD trustee from 2003 to 2010 and was elected again to the board in 2015. She is a former teacher and a lifelong resident of the East End. She attended HISD’s Park Place and Lewis elementary schools and Deady Middle School before graduating from Milby High School.

Outgoing Board President Rhonda Skillern-Jones transferred the gavel to Davila, signifying the change in office. Continue reading →

Board of Education to consider authorizing application for disaster assistance

The HISD Board of Education on Thursday will consider the district’s initial application to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for disaster assistance as a result of Hurricane Harvey.

The board’s regular monthly meeting begins at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17 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.

Per the Texas Education Code, unreimbursed disaster remediation costs that a school district incurs responding to a disaster allows the district to request a reduction in recapture payments. Continue reading →