Category Archives: District IX – Myrna Guidry

HISD Board of Education hosting meetings to gather input on superintendent search

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education is conducting a nationwide search for a permanent superintendent, and trustees are seeking input from the community about the qualities and traits they would like to see in their next district leader.

HISD Board of Education trustees have scheduled several meetings to gather feedback from the community that will be used to develop a superintendent candidate profile. The dates and times for the meetings are listed below.

In March, Dr. Grenita Lathan was named by trustees as HISD’s interim superintendent. Lathan will continue to serve in that capacity during the duration of the search. Continue reading →

Worthing HS construction wraps up, set to open final phase in January

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Construction on the final building phase of Worthing High School is nearing 100 percent completion, with students and staff eager to move into the new facility next month.

As crews complete final punch-list items, new furniture will be delivered in the coming weeks, preparing the building for students when they return from winter break on Jan. 7.

“It’s really beautiful,” Principal Khalilah Campbell-Rhone said on a recent walkthrough of the new building. “I’m very excited. We just received a permit from the city to start moving in.” Continue reading →

Six HISD schools set to open new facilities in January

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HISD will open six new schools next month, bringing the total number of new campuses opened during the past year to 21 and marking the completion of more than 80 percent of all school construction projects.

Schools include Madison and Worthing high schools, Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center, Barbara Jordan Career Center, Wharton Dual Language Academy, and Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. All are part of the 2012 Bond Program.

“We’ve completed a record-breaking number of projects,” HISD Construction Services Officer Derrick Sanders said. “Essentially, that means more students now have access to vibrant, modern, state-of-the-art learning spaces. That’s our goal.” Continue reading →

Trustee Adams to host District IX Thanksgiving Day of Caring

HISD District IX Trustee Wanda Adams, in partnership with the Houston Food Bank, will host a Thanksgiving Day of Caring from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17 at Reynolds Elementary School (9601 Rose Haven 77051).

Trustee Adams and volunteers from the Houston Food Bank will be distributing food items for the Thanksgiving holiday to families in need. For more information, contact Reynolds ES at 713-731-5590.

Construction on new Madison HS nears completion

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Construction on Madison High School’s new building is nearly complete, with final preparations currently underway and an opening day set for January 2019.

Installation of carpet and vinyl flooring is wrapping up, and crews have begun installation of ceiling tile. The installation of the seating and wood flooring in the auditorium and gymnasium is also underway.

Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education unanimously votes to reinstate Lathan as interim superintendent

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education voted unanimously to reinstate Dr. Grenita Lathan as interim superintendent of HISD.

The Board of Education also voted to authorize the Board President or her designees and the interim superintendent to bring back recommendations concerning executive coaches for trustees and the interim superintendent, respectively. Trustees voted to submit a request to the Texas Education Agency to change the district’s assigned governance conservator.

In addition, trustees voted to set a date for the completion of the superintendent search and adopt a resolution concerning reconciliation.

The firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates will conduct a national search for a permanent superintendent.

HISD Board honors Worthing HS student for act of heroism

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The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday night recognized Worthing High School junior Marcus Dillard for an act of heroism that may well have saved the life of 72-year-old Houston resident Gloria Cage.

Cage’s car became disabled on Wednesday night after hitting a pothole. A short time later, her vehicle erupted in flames with Cage trapped inside. She said several cars drove by as she pounded on the window for help.

Marcus and his younger brother were passing by, and Marcus quickly turned around to assist Cage. Using a tire jack, Marcus and his brother Marvieon broke the windows of the car and dragged Cage to safety. Continue reading →

HISD Transportation Services holding job fair to recruit bus drivers

The Houston Independent School District’s Transportation Services department will host a job fair this month to recruit bus drivers as part of continuing efforts to make sure all routes are fully staffed and drivers are available for both new routes and to provide coverage if employees are absent.

The job fair will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 22 at Sterling High School.

Selected applicants will earn a starting hourly wage of $16.65 and will be provided free CDL training. Other benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, Teacher Retirement System participation and special trip pay options. Continue reading →

Lawson MS celebrates grand opening of new building

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Festive music by the Lawson Middle School band greeted guests Wednesday as they arrived to celebrate the grand opening of the school’s new $66 million building – one of 13 new or renovated HISD schools that opened in August.

The event paid tribute to the school’s namesake, Audrey H. Lawson, and was attended by parents, students, staff, alumni, and community members, along with members of the Lawson family.

“This building is absolutely beautiful. It represents our investment in this community and the future of our students in the Hiram Clarke neighborhood,” said Houston Independent School District Board of Education Trustee Wanda Adams, who served as emcee for the event. “The new Lawson Middle School will have a huge impact on this community for generations to come.” Continue reading →

Lawson MS students step into their new learning space for first day

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Clad in super hero capes and masks, enthusiastic teachers and staff gathered in the foyer of the new Lawson Middle School to welcome students for the first day of the 2018-2019 school year.

Lawson Principal Kasey Bailey said the costumes were a reminder to students and parents of their power to move the campus forward and conquer obstacles that stand before them.

“It’s a new era of academic achievement” Bailey said. “Lawson’s academic status is now ‘Growth Distinction.’ We are no longer ‘Improvement Required.’ That alone has given us the additional boost of excitement preparing us for this new academic achievement.”