Community Conversations Scheduled for Houston Schools Bond Proposition

The Houston Independent School District has scheduled 10 Community Conversations for the public to learn more about the district’s proposal to modernize outdated high school buildings and build new schools to meet students’ needs across the city.

The bond proposition is primarily focused on 28 of the district’s high schools but also significantly impacts 10 other school buildings. More details about the proposition can be found on the 2012 Houston Schools Bond website (click here). The measure goes before voters on Nov. 6.  Early voting begins Oct. 22.

All informational meetings will take place from 6 to 8 p.m., and will include a presentation followed by a question-and-answer session. The dates and locations are:

  • Monday, Sept. 24 – Booker T. Washington High School (119 E. 39th Street) and Bellaire High School (5100 Maple, Bellaire)
  • Thursday, Sept. 27 – Davis High School (1101 Quitman) and Dowling Middle School (14000 Stancliff)
  • Monday, Oct. 1 – Lee High School (6529 Beverly Hill) and Milby High School (1601 Broadway)
  • Tuesday, Oct. 2 – Sharpstown High School (7504 Bissonnet) and Yates High School (3703 Sampson)
  • Thursday, Oct. 4 – Austin High School (1700 Dumble) and Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th Street). The Hattie Mae White session will be broadcast live on HISD TV, Comcast cable channel 18, and AT&T Uverse channel 99.

Questions about the proposition may also be submitted via email to bondinfo@houstonisd.org.

The proposal seeks voter approval of a $1.89 billion plan to address the most serious facility needs in 38 schools. The proposal would:

Provide new campuses for 20 high schools

  • Austin
  • Bellaire
  • Davis
  • DeBakey
  • Eastwood
  • Furr
  • High School for the Performing and Visual Arts
  • Jordan
  • Lamar
  • Lee
  • Madison
  • Milby
  • North Early College
  • Sam Houston
  • Sharpstown
  • South Early College
  • Sterling
  • Washington
  • Worthing
  • Yates

Partially replace 4 high schools

  • Waltrip
  • Young Men’s College Prep Academy
  • Westbury
  • Young Women’s College Prep Academy

 

Renovate 4 high schools

  • Jones
  • Kashmere
  • Scarborough
  • Sharpstown International

 

Convert 5 elementary schools into K-8 campuses

  • Garden Oaks Montessori
  • Mandarin Chinese Language Immersion School at Gordon
  • Pilgrim Academy
  • Wharton Dual Language School
  • Wilson Montessori

 

Build 3 new elementary school campuses

  • Askew
  • Parker
  • Relief school on the west side

 

 

Replace/complete 2 new middle school campuses

  • Grady (new addition to complete new campus)
  • Dowling (new campus)

 

In addition, the proposed measure would include funds that would improve conditions for students in all HISD schools. Those proposals include:

  • $100 million for district-wide technology improvements
  • $44.7 million to replace regional field houses and improve athletic facilities
  • $35 million to renovate middle school restrooms
  • $17.3 million for district-wide safety and security improvements

The Board of Education has also agreed to rebuild two schools – Condit Elementary and High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice – either through the sale of surplus district property, or by using any potential savings from other bond projects.

If approved by voters, design work of the new schools would begin in early 2013 and the first construction projects would start in 2014.

While including millions of dollars in recommended projects that would benefit students at all 279 schools in the district, the proposed bond package focuses heavily — $1.36 billion — on the city’s high schools. HISD’s most recent bond programs approved by voters in 1998, 2002 and 2007 primarily addressed needs at the elementary school level.  The average age of HISD secondary schools now stands at 50 years, compared to 39 years for the district’s primary schools. 

Many of Houston’s high school buildings were designed to meet the needs of students more than half a century ago and are no longer able to accommodate the best instructional approaches for helping today’s students meet rising academic expectations, according to independent school facilities experts who recently assessed HISD schools.

Modern schools feature design elements that are shown to positively impact student achievement. Some of these elements include:

  • Greater classroom configuration flexibility to help teachers differentiate their approaches to meet the needs of each child
  • Classroom designs that encourage collaborative learning
  • Improved access to technology
  • Infrastructure for the latest career and technical education programs
  • Lab spaces that offer hands-on science learning

Historic neighborhood schools

and prestigious schools of choice to be replaced

 

The Houston Schools Bond Proposition would completely rebuild some of Houston’s most historic neighborhood high schools across the city.  The proposal also includes new campuses for some of HISD’s prestigious specialty schools, including the nationally renowned High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, DeBakey High School for Health Professions, and Eastwood Academy.  All three schools made this year’s Children at Risk list of the Houston region’s Top 10 high schools.

The new HSPVA would be built downtown near Houston’s vaunted Theater District on land that HISD already owns at 1300 Capitol. HISD is working on an agreement that would allow the district to build DeBakey on property within the Texas Medical Center.

Exteriors of architecturally important schools to remain

The bond proposal recognizes the importance of protecting the character of some of HISD’s historic neighborhood high schools. Some new schools would maintain their existing building structures while their interiors are transformed. These schools include Austin, Davis, Lamar, and Milby.

Some of the schools recommended for major construction work are among those that had renovations under the 2007 bond program.  In many of those cases, the previously completed work will be incorporated into the new building design.

Even with the many projects included in the bond proposal, HISD schools still have many additional facility needs that remain unaddressed.  Those needs will be identified as HISD moves forward with developing a comprehensive long-range capital improvement plan.

Property tax implications

 

Because of the district’s strong fiscal management practices, HISD has been able to maintain the lowest property tax rate of the 20-plus school districts in Harris County. In addition, HISD is among the few districts in Texas that offer an optional 20 percent homestead exemption on top of the standard $15,000 exemption that other school districts offer. 

If an election is called, and voters approve the bond package, HISD would likely adopt a property tax rate increase in the future.  This tax rate increase would have no impact on the homesteads of HISD residents age 65 and older, because their tax rates are frozen.

HISD anticipates gradually phasing in a tax rate increase that in 2017 would reach a maximum of 4.85 cents per $100 of taxable value. For the owner of the average HISD home with a market value of $198,936, this would mean a monthly cost of $5.83, or $70 per year, five years from now.  Under this estimate, the property tax rate would increase by 1 penny in 2014, another penny in 2016, and 2.85 cents in 2017.

School construction and renovation work approved by HISD voters in 2007 is nearing completion under budget.  HISD has opened 20 new or replacement schools under that bond program, and the final 3 new schools are under construction.  More than 130 HISD campuses have undergone renovations so far.  Click here for more detailed information about the work completed under the 2007 bond program.

Over 600 Volunteers Participate in HISD’s Grads Within Reach Walk

Hundreds of volunteers spent Saturday morning knocking on more than 1,300 doors across the city encouraging students who have not returned to school this academic year to re-enroll.   The outreach effort was part of the ninth annual Grads Within Reach Walk, which led to 45 HISD students deciding to return to school immediately and many more promising to give school another try.

HISD Superintendent Terry Grier kicked off the walk at Austin High School by motivating dozens of volunteers and administrators.  “We know the factors that drive these students to make the difficult decision of dropping out of school vary,” Dr. Grier said. “That’s why we’re here today — to let them know about the programs HISD offers to help them graduate.  But more importantly we want them to know HISD cares about them and wants to help them get back in school.”

Dr. Grier later led the volunteers as they knocked on the homes of various students at Austin High School.  HISD Board of Education Trustee Juliet Stipeche and Austin High School Principal Jorge Arredondo were among those volunteers encouraging students to re-enroll.

“I’m excited we have the opportunity to reach out to these students to help them get their diploma,” Stipeche said.  “We want them to know HISD is going to do whatever it can to help them succeed.”  Principal Arredondo said he is invested in this effort, and it’s his privilege to be involved with the Grads Within Reach Walk.  “We know this community. We are from this community, and we deeply understand its challenges,” he said.  “We also realize as adults who work with the youth of Houston, we are very often these students’ last best chance.”

Among their successful visits was Imelda, 18, who only needs credit for one course to graduate and says she is now going to re-enroll.  “My dad has been encouraging me to finish high school,” said Imelda. “I do want to complete my course work so I can get my diploma, especially since I’m only one credit shy of graduation.”

Continue reading →

Two HISD Schools Win 2012 National Blue Ribbon Award

Two HISD schools were named today as 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools by U.S Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan.  East Early College High School and Project Chrysalis Middle School are among only 269 schools nationwide and 18 in Texas that achieved the honor this year.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students perform at very high levels or where significant improvements are being made in students’ levels of achievement. 

East Early College High School and Project Chrysalis Middle School were both recognized as “Exemplary Performing” schools.  

“Our nation has no greater responsibility than helping all children realize their full potential,” Duncan said. “Schools honored with the National Blue Ribbon Schools award are committed to accelerating student achievement and preparing students for success in college and careers.  Their work reflects the conviction that every child has promise and that education is the surest pathway to a strong, secure future.”

The Department of Education will honor all of the schools at a recognition ceremony on Nov. 12-13 in Washington, D.C.

Bonner Elementary students send thanks to troops, first responders

As the nation prepares to mark the 11th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, students at Bonner Elementary are honoring first responders and the men and women serving in our armed forces.

Students in first through fifth grade decorated brown paper bags that will be filled with candy then sent to members of the military, veterans, and first responders. The students also wrote letters thanking the men and women for their service to our country.

Bonner Elementary is one of several schools across the U.S. participating in Operation Goody Bag’s “Commit to Color” project which hopes to send 50,000 decorated goody bags and thank you notes to our troops and first responders.

Teachers and staff at Bonner are also donating money to organize a breakfast for the firefighters at Station 29 for their service to the school.

Director of Literacy Recognized with National Award

HISD’s Director of Literacy Carol Bedard has been honored along with two of her colleagues by the National Council of Teachers of English.

Dr. Bedard, who serves as an associate professor at the University of Houston Downtown in the Department of Urban Education, shared the role of co-editor on a prize-winning article with fellow faculty members Kim Pinkerton and Leigh Van Horn.

The article, entitled “English in Texas,” won first place in the Affiliate Journal Awards.

You can read the full story here.

Two HISD Educators Named ‘Champions of Change’ by White House

Two HISD educators are being honored at the White House on Friday, Aug. 31, as “Champions of Change” for their efforts to improve the lives of Hispanic youths.

Teacher Development Specialist Ben Hernandez and Austin High School teacher Armando Orduña were nominated by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which also handpicked them to be members of that organization’s inaugural Teacher Advisory Council earlier this year.

“I don’t even know how to feel yet,” said Hernandez. “I was just excited that they had created this award to honor the hard work and the success that teachers experience. (HISD is) very progressive and aggressive, so I think in a lot of ways, it can turn national eyes on us to see what we’re doing right.”

You can watch a live feed of the awards ceremony on the White House’s website (www.whitehouse.gov/live) starting at 12:30 CDT.  Members of the media are also welcome to visit Austin High School (1700 Dumble) where fellow staff members and students will be watching the live ceremony.

31 Cafeterias to Roll Out Made-to-Order Food Concepts by Year’s End

Some combination of the four made-to-order food concepts first piloted in nine campus cafeterias last fall will be operating at 31 HISD high schools by the end of this school year.

Students eating lunch on campus will be able to choose from a made-from-scratch soup or a fresh sandwich at the Green Street Deli; a burger at the Custom Brothers Grill Company; a slice of pizza at The Home Zone; or Tex-Mex staples such as crispy tacos or quesadillas at the Tortilla Fresh Mex station.

Each campus will offer two to four of these exciting brands, and all will incorporate the very healthiest options, such as whole-grain breads, low-fat meats and cheeses, and foods that are baked instead of fried. Foods will also be seasoned with herbs and spices and sweetened naturally, with no added salt or sugar.

The grand openings will begin in September and continue through December, when all renovations are scheduled to be complete.

Middle schools will also find a new option this year, as most campuses will offer a variation of The Home Zone menu and a new Tex-Mex serving station with all their Tex-Mex favorites.

Districtwide Tryouts for HISD’s Elementary Honor Choir

Fourth and fifth graders from all across the district are invited to audition for the Houston Independent School District Elementary Honor Choir on Saturday, Sept. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Travis Elementary, 3311 Beauchamp. 

HISD’s Elementary Honor Choir was established in 2008 to provide an additional high-level choral experience for musically talented fourth and fifth graders in the district.  During the 2011-2012 academic year, 19 elementary schools were represented in the choir.

Choir rehearsals are held after school twice a month from October through January.  Music teachers are responsible for teaching the music to students at their home schools, and parents are responsible for transporting their children to and from the rehearsals. 

The HISD Elementary Honor Choir presents a spring concert each year.  Last year the choir was invited to perform at the 13th Annual Invitational School Choral Festival “Hear the Future” presented by the Houston Chamber Choir.  Additionally, the choir has been invited to perform at the upcoming Texas Music Educators Association’s Annual Convention in February 2013.

The audition will consist of a vocalise to determine the singer’s range and a short melody, Jubilate Deo, to be sung alone and in canon with a judge.  Click here to view video samples.  The schools’ music teachers are available to help the students prepare for the auditions. 

To sign up to audition or for more information, contact Katherine Martin at kmartin6@houstonisd.org or call 713-556-6823.

23,000 Backpacks, 2,500 Uniforms: Back to School Fest, By the Numbers

HISD partnered with the City of Houston to host the Back to School Fest on August 11that Reliant Center. Here’s a look at the event and its impact:

  • More than 40,000 students and their families attended the event
  • 40 sponsors and 33 in-kind sponsors
  • An estimated 500 immunizations were administered to children
  • More than 500 individuals volunteered for this event
  • The event showcased 100 exhibitors
  • More than 23,000 backpacks with school supplies were distributed
  • 2,500 uniforms and 725 uniform vouchers were distributed
  • 52,049 pounds of food were distributed by the Houston Food Bank
  • 12 organizations/companies hosted school supply drives to support the Back To School Fest
  • 8,000 socks and underwear for children were distributed

Three HISD Elementary Schools Win $25,000 Grants from Target

Just in time for the new academic year, three elementary schools in the Houston Independent School District have won $25,000 grants from Target to help provide educational resources in the classroom.

“This grant could not have come at a more perfect time for these schools,” HISD Superintendent Terry Grier said. “Amid the recent state budget cuts, teachers and administrators are faced with doing more with less as they continue to provide their students a rigorous education. There is no doubt that this grant will be put to great use at these schools.”

Highland Heights, Atherton and Briscoe elementary schools were among the 100 schools nationwide selected to receive this grant. The grant will be used at these campuses to enrich current programs and incorporate technology in the classrooms.

This includes increasing the educational resources available to the students and purchasing new technology such as iPads to further engage students and promote learning. The grant will also be used to help fund after-school programs that help supplement classroom learning and engage kids safely.

Give With Target is a two-part giving campaign aimed at helping schools across the country by providing $2.5 million in grants to 100 in-need schools, as well as up to $2.5 million in Target GiftCards to local schools that receive votes on Target’s Facebook page.