What the hell is going on with the HISD board? (Houston: low income, renting)

[Vicman]

Originally Posted by hbcu

HISD has caved in to politicians and won't shut down low enrollment schools and they've rebuilt schools in certain areas with declining enrollment.

Which ones do you think are the most egregious examples? I am aware those in the African-American community are often territorial over their schools and don't like to go to schools in "rival" neighborhoods. A lot of school closures/consolidations happened anyway (I remember they build Ketelsen Elementary, but that was to replace two existing schools)

[Vicman]

As per the Houston Press Saavedra's not eligible to be permanently superintendent https://www.houstonpress.com/news/ca...ndent-10947362

Apparently orchestrated by trustee Diana Davila and others on the board to the exclusion of trustees Wanda Adams, Jolanda Jones and board president Rhonda Skillern-Jones, the surprise motion followed a 6-3 vote to continue the contract with a firm helping in the search for a permanent superintendent. Saavedra's contract will be for six months at the same rate of pay as departed Superintendent Richard Carranza and he will not be considered for the permanent spot. In a 5-4 vote, Diegaard joined the three African-American trustees to oppose naming Saavedra.

Also:

both Adams and Jones stated that it was the Hispanic members of the board who wanted Carranza gone. "Because he did not do what they wanted him to do," Adams said. "He was trying to do right." And as Jones put it: "People who looked like him wanted him gone."

They've got recordings too and I wanna watch them

[usc619]

Well, that was quick...Diana Davila needs to step down.

httphttps://abc13.com/education/hous...ndent/4483903/

[usc619]

There needs to be an open act investigation ASAP!
https://www.khou.com/article/news/ed.../285-604315775

[hbcu]

Originally Posted by Vicman

Which ones do you think are the most egregious examples? I am aware those in the African-American community are often territorial over their schools and don't like to go to schools in "rival" neighborhoods. A lot of school closures/consolidations happened anyway (I remember they build Ketelsen Elementary, but that was to replace two existing schools)

all, Kashmere should've been closed when Wheatley was built or even send them to Booker T or North Forest. They've rebuilt Sterling and Worthing when one school could've housed all (even with Jones closing). Scarborough has always been small but they hang on when you can send them to Waltrip.

[Vicman]

Originally Posted by hbcu

all, Kashmere should've been closed when Wheatley was built or even send them to Booker T or North Forest. They've rebuilt Sterling and Worthing when one school could've housed all (even with Jones closing). Scarborough has always been small but they hang on when you can send them to Waltrip.

It may help to check the capacities of the buildings? HISD might post them somewhere but I don't know where they are.

Kashmere was good to keep open in hindsight since HISD now has all the North Forest territory.

I am wondering why Scarborough remains as is, although I'm not sure if Waltrip has the capacity to house everyone from there. I would like to see the parts of Cy-Fair ISD in the Houston city limits moved to HISD so Scarboorugh would have more of a purpose.

I wonder if HISD things the area between 610 and BW8 may eventually get more residents? They did build DeAnda near Hobby.

[DejaBlue]

Originally Posted by Vicman

It may help to check the capacities of the buildings? HISD might post them somewhere but I don't know where they are.

Kashmere was good to keep open in hindsight since HISD now has all the North Forest territory.

I am wondering why Scarborough remains as is, although I'm not sure if Waltrip has the capacity to house everyone from there. I would like to see the parts of Cy-Fair ISD in the Houston city limits moved to HISD so Scarboorugh would have more of a purpose.

I wonder if HISD things the area between 610 and BW8 may eventually get more residents? They did build DeAnda near Hobby.

Which parts of Cyfair? The Fairbanks area? That's already hood and a drag on Cyfair. I'm sure they would give it up quick like I'm sure Klein would to the KF feeder pattern schools.



HISD needs to be chopped up into about 3 districts. Look at the DFW area. HISD up there would be about 5 districts. They have so many little districts and I feel like as a whole, they're better off. HISD is just too big with too many low performing schools.


Is HISD a Title 1 district? When I was in high school someone told me that a district can be Title 1 if a high school is and that KF should be a Title 1 high school but the district has been pushing back to not be labeled as a whole Title 1

[SpeedThink]

Originally Posted by Vicman

1. The problem is that schools aren't the cause of failure all of the time. Instead it's issues at home and in the community that are deeply rooted. In the end it's about saying "we're doing something" and taking actions that aren't actually making a difference, while teachers who do everything they *reasonably* (reasonably is key, as they shouldn't be expected to be putting in so much effort that their marriages fail) should do for success still get punished for things out of their control.

2. If education was higher-paying and better respected people would see school boards as the cream of the crop and a final destination. Instead... well.. Mark Twain made some disparaging comments on school boards.

Interesting point.

Yes, the Houston Independent School District need to be unified in ensuring that the students are well educated.

As the demographics may change in many neighborhoods and schools, the goal remains the same - ensure that the students are well educated.

Teachers' salaries should be increased and more Gifted and Talented curriculum offered at more schools especially at the pre-k level.

However, the most profound step will be for parents to begin nurturing the child when the child is still in the womb - reading to the child, playing music for the child and eating a healthy diet (minimal fried foods, minimal sugar, minimal sodas, etc.) and light exercise such as walking while being free of stress!

I believe that every child deserves an opportunity for a great education as much as every child deserves great parents who understand the importance of a great education!

How do we ensure that every child have great parents?

Resolving cyclical inter-generational poverty is crucial along with intercession by other concerned parents, groups and other institutions.

Also, an increase in affordable housing and discounted job re-training for adults is a step in the right direction.

In fact, the local junior colleges and vocational schools should offer 50% reduction in tuition for not only adults who are maybe older than 55 but maybe having programs that allow young teenage mothers to receive mentoring by others may be beneficial.

Having a child when one is 14 or 15 or 16, etc. and dropping out of school is not a wise decision but once it has occurred, it appears reasonable to intercede and relay lessons that maybe the parents of the young lady never taught.

Anyway, just rambling but thought that I would offer some thoughts...

[Dopo]

Dumb question,
is there any reason HISD has to be so big and not broken up?

[usc619]

Originally Posted by Dopo

Dumb question,
is there any reason HISD has to be so big and not broken up?

Money