Tag Archives: HISD Board of Education

Appeals Granted: Two HISD Schools to Keep Magnet Status

Burbank and Elrod elementary schools to keep magnet status for 2014-2015 academic yea

The Houston Independent School District is restoring the magnet designation at two elementary schools following a thorough review of the schools’ presentations and related documentation during the appeal process. Burbank and Elrod elementary schools will keep their magnet designation and funding for the 2014-2015 academic year.

“As we listened to the magnet program representatives who presented appeals, the committee was looking for clear evidence that these programs were on the path to meeting the magnet standards within one to two years,” HISD Assistant Superintendent of School Choice Dave Wheat said.  “After a lot of deliberation, we’re pleased to announce that we are restoring the magnet designation at Elrod and Burbank elementary schools.”

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HISD to Celebrate Being Named America’s Top Urban School District

HISD Board of Education, HISD Superintendent, administrators, teachers and students to partake in the district’s celebration

What:             Hundreds of school administrators, teachers and students will join the HISD

Board of Education and Superintendent Terry Grier as the district celebrates winning the Broad Prize for Urban Education. The prestigious award recognizes the public school system that has demonstrated the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement while reducing achievement gaps among poor and minority students. The award also provides the HISD class of 2014 with $550,000 in college scholarships. HISD won the first Broad Prize awarded in 2002 and was also a finalist in 2012.

The celebration at the district’s headquarters will feature school marching bands, cheerleaders, community members and HISD’s #GreatAllOver school bus, among other festivities.

For more information about The Broad Prize, including video and photos, please visit www.houstonisd.org/broadprize.

Who:               HISD Board of Education trustees, HISD Superintendent Terry Grier, administrators, teachers, students and community members

When:             Monday, Sept. 30 at 4 p.m.  

Where:           Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 W. 18th Street

HISD Partners with Houston Community College to Open Two Middle College High Schools

Schools designed to serve students who have dropped out or are at risk of dropping out

The Houston Independent School District is partnering 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.

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HISD Superintendent Terry Grier to Address Class of 2013 at Commencement Ceremonies

Nearly 9,000 seniors to graduate at 41 HISD graduation ceremonies

Starting today nearly 9,000 seniors will graduate from HISD high schools at 41 commencement ceremonies across Houston.  On Saturday and Sunday HISD Superintendent Terry Grier will be addressing the seniors at the commencement ceremonies for Chavez, Washington and East Early College high schools.  Members of the HISD Board of Education will also be taking part in commencement ceremonies across the district.

“It is such an honor to see thousands of students walk across the stage, ready to embark on a new chapter in their lives,” Dr. Grier said.  “At HISD we work hard to ensure all students are college and career ready, so we feel confident that every senior from the Class of 2013 is on the right path to success.”

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“Voting Early Style” – HISD students, teachers, principals go Gangnam Style to get out the vote

Forget what you thought you knew about “Gangnam Style,” the year’s biggest hit song and music video. Some may say it’s a parody of fashion and lifestyles in an upscale Korean neighborhood, but they’re mistaken. We sent the lyrics around the district and our students, faculty and staff have come to the conclusion that rapper PSY was actually encouraging Harris County voters to not only vote this election, but to vote early and finish the entire ballot.

We want anybody who’s eligible to vote in the November 6 election to take control of their future and go to the polls. We encourage you to register to vote (do it soon as the deadline is fast approaching) and to vote early beginning October 22.

We’re also asking for your help in getting out the vote. Make sure your friends see this video by tweeting it (we’re using the #VoteEarly hashtag and you can tag us with @HoustonISD), posting it to Facebook or Tumblr and liking it on YouTube.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP7lBB83McY]

HISD Board of Education to vote on 2012 Bond Proposal

Following weeks of consideration, the HISD Board of Education is expected to vote on calling a referendum for the 2012 bond proposal at its scheduled meeting on Thursday, August 9.

The proposal, totaling $1.89 billion, would provide funding for construction at 38 schools, including 28 high schools that would be rebuilt, renovated or remodeled, as well as other districtwide projects. The bond proposal item to be presented to the board can be viewed on page 23 of the board agenda (PDF).

More information about the bond proposal, documentation used in the proposal and community surveys about the district’s schools can be found on our main website. For those unable to attend the board meeting at 5 p.m. in the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, you can watch it live online or on HISD TV.

As of today, there are only 90 days until Election Day. If you’ve yet to register to vote, you can find more information about registering and download an application at the Harris County Tax Office’s website.

Citing positive data, Board of Education votes to extend Superintendent Terry Grier’s contract to 2014

The HISD Board of Education voted Thursday night to extend Superintendent Terry Grier’s contract through June 2014, signaling their commitment to continuing the bold initiatives that began with his arrival in 2009.

Trustees Paula Harris, Greg Meyers, Manuel Rodriguez Jr., Larry Marshall, and Harvin Moore voted for the extension. President Michael Lunceford and trustees Juliet Stipeche and Rhonda Skillern-Jones abstained. Trustee Anna Eastman voted against the measure.

Trustees who voted in favor of the extension said Dr. Grier has delivered on his promise of swift action to raise academic performance among all children and set HISD on a path to become the best school district in America.

“In 2009 we went out on a superintendent search. The board said we need someone bold and with a vision,” said Trustee Greg Meyers. “If you look at the data tonight, we’re on track. That’s something I feel confident about. … I’m proud to say this superintendent has followed the charge and put together a staff that is dedicated to doing what’s right not for the adults, but for the kids in this district.”

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MLK oratory winners, three ‘living legends’ recognized in observance of Black History Month

Matthias McBride delivers his winning speech at Thursday's Board of Education meeting.

The HISD Board of Education opened its regular meeting with a performance from Pleasantville Elementary School student Matthias McBride, the winner of the 2012 Gardere MLK Jr. Oratory Competition. Matthias delivered his winning speech to those in attendance.

 Click here to watch his winning speech.

Also recognized were Donovan Williams from Cornelius Elementary (second place), and Samaya Watson from MacGregor Elementary (third place).

The HISD Board of Education also recognized three “living legends” in observance of Black History Month: Faye Bryant, Felix Cook, and Lawrence Marshall.

  • Faye Bryant is a native Houstonian and a graduate of Wheatley High School. She taught or served as a counselor at both Booker T. Washington and Bellaire high schools, and she was very involved in the district’s first Magnet programs as part of the district’s desegregation efforts. After serving in a number of administrative positions, including acting superintendent, she retired from HISD in 2002 with 42 years of service.
  • Felix Y. Cook was a teacher and administrator at HISD for 36 years, starting in the 1940s. He served as a teacher and coach at E. O. Smith Junior High and Phillis Wheatley High School and as the principal of Sharpstown High School. Cook also served for 12 years as a deputy superintendent. HISD named a school for him in 2006 on the site of the old James Sanderson Elementary School.
  • Lawrence Marshall joined the district as a teacher in 1955 and subsequently served as a principal, area superintendent, assistant superintendent, associate superintendent, and deputy superintendent before retiring in 1991. He was first elected to the Board of Education in 1997, and has served as assistant secretary, first vice president, and president. He was re-elected in 2009 and continues to represent District IX.

Trustee Michael Lunceford Elected 2012 HISD School Board President

Outgoing president Paula Harris recognized for her “outstanding leadership and advocacy on behalf of Houston’s school children.”

HISD District V Trustee Michael Lunceford was unanimously elected Thursday to serve as 2012 President of the HISD Board of Education.

The HISD Board of Education officers for 2012 are (L-R): Assistant Secretary Greg Meyers, Second Vice President Juliet Stipeche, President Michael Lunceford, Secretary Rhonda Skillern-Jones, and First Vice President Anna Eastman.

The father of two HISD graduates, Lunceford is a graduate of HISD’s Westbury High School and a Bellaire resident. Lunceford received a bachelor of science degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1981 and is currently the vice president of engineering for Pedernales Energy.

In his acceptance speech, Lunceford said he chose to wear a neck tie adorned with the images of children, instead of a more traditional “power” tie, to send a message.

“We’re here for the kids. That’s what we need to focus on this year,” Lunceford said. “The power of the kids is going to empower us to do what’s right.”

Lunceford and the rest of the Board also took time to recognize Trustee Paula Harris for her service as president in 2011, presenting her with a plaque acknowledging her “outstanding leadership and advocacy on behalf of Houston’s school children.”

Other Board of Education officers for 2012 are:

  • Anna Eastman, First Vice President
  • Juliet Stipeche, Second Vice President
  • Rhonda Skillern-Jones, Secretary
  • Greg Meyers, Assistant Secretary