Existing facility to be demolished while design for new facility is underway
The HISD Board of Education unanimously approved during Thursday’s monthly meeting the motion to fast-track the construction of a new Delmar-Tusa Fieldhouse by demolishing the existing facility while design for the new facility is underway. The goal is to have the site ready for construction as soon as possible and complete the replacement facility by late 2016.
Schools designed to serve students who have dropped out or are at risk of dropping out
The HISD Board of Education will consider a proposal Thursday to create a partnership with Houston Community College to open two Middle College High Schools focused on serving students who are in danger of dropping out of school or who have already dropped out.
The Houston Independent School District Board of Education has approved a $1.62 billion budget for the 2013-2014 academic year that includes $16 million to provide additional support to students at struggling schools and 2-percent pay raises for all HISD employees.
The Houston ISD Board of Education’s scheduled vote on the 2013-2014 budget has been rescheduled for 5 p.m. on Monday, June 24.
Board President Anna Eastman said the vote was postponed to ensure that all trustees are able to attend.
• To view the official agenda, click here.
The Houston ISD Board of Education will meet Thursday, June 20, 2013 to consider adopting a $1.62 billion budget that includes $20 million to tutor more students at struggling schools across the city while ensuring that HISD continues to offer the lowest tax rate among the two dozen school districts in Harris County.
Board of Education Award recipient Sara Jamison, right, gets a hug from Booker T. Washington magnet coordinator Kathleen Moreland, left, after commencement.
Each year the Board of Education recognizes distinguished seniors from HISD high schools in recognition of their total accomplishments exemplified by their character, academic achievement, leadership, and service. Selection is made by a school committee appointed by the principal and the award is presented by the board trustee during commencement exercises. An outstanding young man and young woman are selected as well as up to five honorable mention students from each high school. This year’s recipients are:
The HISD Board of Education voted Thursday to move forward with a plan to compete for $12 million in federal grant funding to open eight new magnet schools emphasizing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) instruction.
The measure passed with a 7-1 vote with Board President Anna Eastman opposed.
The Houston ISD Board of Education on Thursday gave preliminary unanimous approval to a stricter set of ethics policies designed to help prevent the appearance of conflicts of interest.
At the board’s request, the firm of Whitley Penn, L.L.P. conducted an independent review of existing HISD policies and best practices related to the purchasing and bid-evaluation process. The ethics policy revisions were drafted according to the firm’s recommendations.
The revised policies are intended to strengthen existing guidelines by requiring elected board members to further disclose potential conflicts of interest, and avoid the appearance of conflicts. The new policies also describe potential repercussions for when violations occur. The revised policy better defines the board responsibilities and allowable contacts with vendors or organizations with which HISD is considering entering into a business or contractual relationship. Vendors will also have to provide conflict of interest disclosure statements and may be disbarred from doing business with the district for two years if trustees fail to disclose conflicts of interest.
The Board of Education also took action on other items on Thursday.
The HISD Board of Education is meeting to discuss a proposal for rebuilding high schools across the city. Here are some highlights from the discussion, which you can follow on Twitter, @HoustonISD:
Staff has spent weeks scrutinizing and fine-tuning the initial $1.89 billion proposal for rebuilding and modernizing schools. Adjustments have been made to the proposed capacities for several new schools included in the HISD bond proposal, including a brand new DeBakey HS to be located inside the Texas Medical Center at a cost of $64.5 million.
The HISD bond proposal would rebuild the following high schools:
Also, a new addition and renovations to Wilson Montessori K-8 School.
To see specific proposals for each campus and for districtwide projects, click here.