Construction on final phase of Worthing HS passes halfway mark

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The second and final phase of construction at Worthing High School has officially passed the halfway mark, Project Advisory Team members learned during their quarterly meeting on Wednesday.

Crews have installed the steel portion of the structure. Most metal stud framing for interior walls, doors, and windows is complete, concrete has been poured for the main parking lot and bus drive, and installation of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems is underway.

Also complete are renovations to the original building, including work on the auditorium stage, music rooms, restrooms, locker rooms, and clinic. Continue reading →

District facing $208 million budget shortfall  

Financial impact of Harvey and recapture creating deficit for 2018-2019 school year

As HISD begins to prepare a budget for the upcoming 2018-2019 school year, the district is estimating a $208 million shortfall as result of the financial impact of Hurricane Harvey and recapture.

HISD has seen a decline in student enrollment and is planning for a further decline for the coming school year, which will mean a decrease in state funding. The district also anticipates the storm will have a significant impact on the city’s property values, which will be released in April 2018. HISD’s main source of funding is property tax dollars. To date, the district has received no indication of how much and when they’ll be reimbursed for Harvey-related expenditures.

Click here for a complete FAQ on HISD’s 2018-2019 budget. This document will be updated frequently.

These factors, combined with the district’s 2018-2019 recapture payment, is creating an estimated $208 million deficit and is requiring HISD to make difficult choices about how funds will be allocated at the school and district level for the upcoming 2018-2019 school year. Continue reading →

Final phase of renovations underway at YWCPA

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Construction at Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy is now 85 percent complete, with first- and second-floor renovations finished and work on third-floor classrooms well underway.

Demolition on the third floor is nearing completion. Ductwork and plumbing have been installed and light fixture replacement and roof installation are in process. In addition, auditorium renovations, including installation of new lighting, ceiling, carpeting, and HVAC system are all underway.

“The space is phenomenal,” YWCPA Principal Dr. April Williams said. “It’s a nice feeling to know that construction will be completed this summer.”

Continue reading →

African-American JROTC leaders in HISD honored during Black History Month

Organization has a 92-year history in the district

In celebration of Black History Month, the Houston Independent School District is saluting Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps senior leadership and personnel serving high school students across the district.

HISD offers 20 Army JROTC, one Air Force JROTC, and four Navy JROTC programs for the 2017-2018 school year. Statistics show that among students who complete four years in the program, over 90% attend college, 5% enter the workforce, and about 5% join the U.S. Armed Forces. Continue reading →

Eastwood Academy starts new year in new addition

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Eastwood Academy started 2018 with the opening of a new wing — the first of two additions being built for the school as part of the 2012 Bond Program.

Known as the “blue wing,” the building houses the main entrance to the facility, as well as a new student dining and multipurpose area, career and technical education classrooms, an athletics facility, and a large covered patio.

It eventually will connect to the school’s existing two-story classroom wing.

“Our students are enjoying the new amenities, and we already feel at home here,” Eastwood Academy Principal Brandi Lira said. Continue reading →

HISD names new principal for Wheatley HS

The Houston Independent School District has selected 22-year veteran educator and administrator Joseph Williams as the new principal for Wheatley High School. Williams’ tenure at Wheatley is effective today.

Williams is known for transforming underperforming schools into thriving campuses. Wheatley is in Year Six Improvement Required status, as designated by the Texas Education Agency, meaning it has not met state standards for six years.

For 90 years, Wheatley has served Houston’s historic Fifth Ward community and is recognized for its award-winning athletics program and notable alumni, which include Barbara Jordan, the first African-American U.S. Congresswoman from the South; her successor, U.S. Congressman Mickey Leland; and musician Archie Bell of Archie Bell & the Drells, among others. Continue reading →

Hundreds turn out to beautify grounds of Hilliard ES after Harvey

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Last fall, Hilliard Elementary School was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Harvey. Floodwaters breached the building and pooled in hallways, classrooms, and the cafeteria. At their worst, they rose as high as four feet.

The damage was so severe, students and staff had to relocate so construction crews could carry out a major overhaul of the building.

“Hilliard was wrecked,” HISD Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby said. “It was heartbreaking to see the extent of the damage.”

Five months later, the environment at the elementary school has completely changed — thanks in part to more than 640 volunteers from across the country, all of whom gathered last week at the newly renovated school to beautify the campus grounds. Continue reading →

HISD Police Department to host ‘Coffee With a Cop’

The Houston Independent School District Police Department is building relationships with community one cup of coffee at a time.

HISD Police Department will host the first Coffee With a Cop of 2018 on Thursday, Feb. 1, from 8 to 9 a.m. at the Whataburger located on 6914 Harrisburg Blvd., Houston, TX 77011.

Coffee with a Cop is an event centered on breaking down barriers and joining law enforcement officers with their respective communities. The program gives police officers an opportunity to discuss specific community concerns, share ideas and address issues with those who live in the area they serve, while building trust and confidence.                     Continue reading →

Joseph E. Williams Sr. named new principal of Wheatley High School

Joseph Williams poses for a photograph, September 2, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)Joseph E. Williams Sr. has been appointed principal at Wheatley High School. Williams currently serves as principal of Key Fine Arts Academy. Previously, he served as principal of Kelso School for Social Sciences and Matthew W. Dogan Elementary, as well as assistant principal at Vera Escamilla Intermediate in Aldine ISD. Williams began his career with HISD 22 years ago as a fifth-grade teacher at Atherton Elementary. He has worked as a fellow at Harvard University and partnered with the National Center for Urban School Transformation and Building Excellent Schools. Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Texas Southern University, a teaching certificate from University of St. Thomas, and a master of education in administration and supervision from University of Houston. 

Erika Carter named new principal of Key Middle School

Erika Carter poses for a photograph, September 2, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)Erika Carter has been appointed principal at Key Middle School. Carter is a product of HISD and a proud graduate of Kashmere High School. She began her career as a sixth-grade reading teacher at Hamilton Middle School. She served as assistant principal at Garcia Elementary before becoming the principal of Betsy Ross Elementary. Betsy Ross met state standards during Carter’s first year there after being identified as “Improvement Required” the previous three years. Academic excellence under Carter continued as the campus earned three state distinctions in 2017. Carter begins her 20th year in HISD by returning to her middle–school roots at Key Middle. She believes that rigorous instruction, demanding work, and a culture of excellence will prepare her scholars for college and beyond.