Tag Archives: HISD Board of Education

HISD Trustees approve policy reinforcing commitment to wraparound services

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday approved a policy designed to reinforce the district’s commitment to providing students with wraparound services to better support their social and emotional needs outside the classroom.

The new policy – titled Student Support Services – outlines the Board’s belief that wraparound services are rooted in strong communities and directs the Superintendent to develop the framework for implementing community-based services.

The services are designed to address critical issues such as mental health, physical needs, food insecurity, violence at home, parent incarceration, and legal and crisis support. Continue reading →

Trustees approve extended school day for 12 campuses, eliminate early dismissal days for all schools

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000Ud.vmFkJA_4″ g_name=”20170914-Board-Meeting” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

At its first regular Board meeting since Hurricane Harvey forced a delayed start to the school year, the Houston Independent School District Board of Education approved extended school days for 12 campuses to make up instructional time.

The Board also eliminated five early dismissal days scheduled throughout the school year for all campuses.

Download the revised 2017-2018 Academic Calendar

The Texas Education Agency approved waivers that exempt students from making up the first nine days of missed classes. However, students at 12 schools starting after Sept. 11 will have to make up lost time beyond those days.

“There is no perfect solution,” Superintendent Richard Carranza said. “And as we talked about over the course of this weather event, flexibility will be key. But we are also making sure the extra time is not just seat time.” Continue reading →

HISD Trustees to host ceremony naming board auditorium after Trustee Manuel Rodríguez Jr.

The HISD Board of Trustees continues to mourn the loss of longtime Board of Trustees member Manuel Rodríguez Jr. In an effort to celebrate his life and memory, the board voted unanimously during its monthly agenda review session to name the board auditorium at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center the Manuel Rodríguez Jr. Board Auditorium.

Prior to the monthly Board of Trustees meeting Thursday, Aug. 10, the board will host a reception to commemorate the renaming. That celebration is open to the public and will include a proclamation by Trustee Rodríguez’s longtime friend, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, and other presentations.

“Trustee Rodríguez spent 14 years fighting in this auditorium for the students in District III and across the district to have access to the highest quality education HISD could provide for them,” says Board President Wanda Adams.  “We remain saddened by his loss, but it was only fitting that we do this small gesture to remind everyone of the warrior that fought here for so long.”

“The decision the board made to name the auditorium after Trustee Rodríguez shows the level of respect they all have for the work he did throughout his tenure to make HISD a better place for all students,” said Superintendent Richard Carranza. “From now on, every time anyone walks into the board auditorium, they will be reminded of a man who dedicated years to helping our students.”

The ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. in the lobby of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center. There will be a ribbon-cutting around 4:30 p.m., and a brief video presentation inside the newly-named auditorium. The board will proceed with its regularly scheduled meeting immediately following the ceremony.

Please RSVP to ywences@HoustonISD.org by Aug. 8.

 

HISD Board of Education to consider proposed 2017-2018 budget during Thursday meeting

Proposed budget includes $48.6 million for salary increases, $2.2 million for special education

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday will consider a proposed 2017-2018 school year budget that includes $48.6 million in salary increases and $2.2 million for special education.

The salary increases are designed to ensure the district is providing all employees with a competitive and livable wage, while the special education funding is designed to provide that department with essential additional resources. Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education approves plan to establish an internal disciplinary alternative education program

March 10, 2017 – The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday approved a proposal to establish an internal disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) for secondary students for the 2017-2018 school year based on a timeline and benchmarks prepared by district administration.

Currently, the district’s DAEP services are provided to secondary students by Camelot Schools of Texas, LLC. The district’s contract with Camelot is set to expire on June 30.

“Thank you to Camelot,” said HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza, who had an opportunity to visit the Camelot facility this week. “There wasn’t one individual that I met that did not have the best of interest of our students in mind. But at the end of the day, these are our children. Every student will be educated in HISD by HISD teachers, principals, counselors, behavioralists, and support personnel.” Continue reading →

Runoff election date set for HISD District VII Trustee race

Winner will serve outgoing Trustee Harvin Moore’s unexpired term

The runoff election for the top two candidates to fill the unexpired term of outgoing HISD District VII Trustee Harvin Moore has been set for Dec. 10.

Candidates competing in the runoff are Anne Sung and John Luman. Continue reading →

HISD Trustee Anna Eastman wins public elected official award

Houston Independent School District Board of Education Trustee Anna Eastman has been honored as the 2016 Public Elected Official of the Year by the Texas chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

Houston ISD District 1 Trustee Anna Eastman

Houston ISD District 1 Trustee Anna Eastman

The award recognizes outstanding service and contributions of an elected official who has shown leadership in the formulation of public policy, particularly areas that affect social justice, health care, education, civil and human rights, and social practice. The award is bestowed by the Texas chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, which has nearly 6,000 members and is committed to advancing the social work profession across the state.

The organization recognized Eastman for her role in supporting the expansion of a non-discrimination policy to include sexual orientation and gender identity within HISD, only the second district in Texas to do so. Eastman also introduced the Human Rights Campaign Welcoming Schools program to the district to provide educators with professional development tools to support LGBT youth and prevent bullying. Continue reading →

Special school board election draws four applications

Candidates seek to serve unexpired term representing District VII

Four candidates have filed applications for a position on the Nov. 8 special election ballot for the unexpired HISD Board of Trustees District VII term of office.

Applications for the District VII Board of Education position were filed by the following individuals (listed in alphabetical order):

  • Victoria Bryant
  • John Luman
  • Danielle D. Paulus
  • Anne K. Sung

The special election was called after incumbent District VII Trustee Harvin Moore announced his resignation after 13 years of service. Moore’s term of office runs through 2017, and he will continue to serve on the board until a successor is elected. Early voting begins Oct. 24. Click here for more election information.

Board of Education approves new school names

The Houston ISD Board of Education on Thursday approved new names for seven schools that were recommended by committees of students, parents, teachers, alumni, civic leaders and principals.

Earlier this year, the Board of Education voted to start the process of choosing new names for schools that will better reflect the district’s values and diversity. The new names will be in effect beginning with the upcoming 2016-2017 school year. The new campus names are as follows: Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education to vote on search firm tasked with finding new superintendent

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education is scheduled to vote Thursday on a plan to hire a search firm to help find a replacement for outgoing Superintendent Terry Grier.

Trustees are recommending the hire of Ray and Associates, an Iowa-based firm that specializes in searches for educational executives and leaders. The firm was among four companies that responded to a request for proposals issued in October. All four were interviewed by the board last month. Continue reading →