Mayor Sylvester Turner stands by the Houston Independent School District and encourages the board of trustees, community, and the Texas Education Agency to keep the students’ best interests in mind as decisions are made about the future of 10 low-performing schools.
Also, the mayor today encouraged HISD to hit the pause button on submitting a partnership plan to the state by the April 30 deadline and instead request a one-year waiver from the Texas Education Agency. A one-year extension would allow the district additional time to focus on improving the schools, stakeholders, and devise and execute strategies to move schools out of Improvement Required (IR) status.
“Considering Hurricane Harvey’s impact on our students and campuses eight-months ago, this is not the time to add to the stress of students, parents, teachers and those served by HISD. I am committing myself to playing a leadership role to find and execute the best path forward. By working together, we can develop a viable model with the singular goal of moving any schools from IR to performing.”
Mayor Turner plans to contact the Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath and ask him to grant HISD the one-year waiver.
“HISD should not submit a partnership plan at this time. I would ask the community to recognize the difficult position and challenges the board of trustees faces in balancing its books after recapture, Hurricane Harvey, and the abrupt departure of former Superintendent Carranza. And lets’ work collaboratively to do what is in the best interest of the student who need all of us.”