This email is packed with updates: the HISD sickout, a KPRC2 investigation into district finances, student protests and retaliation, and a chance to speak at Thursday’s board meeting.
HISD Sickout
Newsweek reported that Texas Students Skip School En Masse to Protest State Takeover. At least 3000 students from 160 Houston ISD schools stayed home from school on Wednesday to protest the state takeover of HISD and Mike Miles. Parents also protested in front of Wharton K-8 School. Leading up to the sickout, on TikTok and Instagram posts went viral, racking up hundreds of thousands of views. Parents slammed the relentless test-driven assault on teachers and the lack of student support for learning.
Since the takeover, over 5,000 educators have left HISD. HISD’s response? Dismissing the protest as "irresponsible" while the number of Central Office Staff under Miles ballooned from 60 to 210—meanwhile, custodians, maintenance staff, and student support positions were slashed. Now, HISD faces a $660 million deficit, but they blame "a small group of parents"?
It is time to listen to teachers and parents, Mr. Miles. For the kids!
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KPRC2 Investigates HISDKPRC2 investigated HISD’s finances last week, questioning the legality of its bond promotion. “While looking at the district's adopted budget, KPRC2 Investigates found legal experts questioning whether everything was done by the book.” The budget, approved by the appointed board, reportedly included a $2 million line item for promoting the November 2024 bond. State Senator Mayes Middleton said he believes electioneering took place and that “they need to do an investigation for sure, to see if there was any illegal electioneering.” Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare wouldn’t comment but emphasized they take public corruption seriously. Texas law bans public funds for political ads unless they are strictly factual and do not advocate for or against a measure. Peaceful Student Protests On Thursday, HISD's Sam Houston High School students staged a mass walkout to protest national immigration crackdown—no suspensions followed. Yet at Northside High last Friday, 75-100 students, many in AP and Dual Credit courses, peacefully protested the same issue and faced harsh punishments, with at least three parents initially told their children would be expelled. Yesterday, Northside parents and students rallied against these extreme consequences. No students were ultimately expelled, but at least 40 were suspended—despite the district calling the protest “overwhelmingly peaceful and well-organized.” After a week of protests and sickouts, Miles and Central Division Superintendent Luz Martinez, who was coincidentally at Northside that day, tried to make an example of the students. Instead, they fueled a movement. Speak at the Board Meeting on Thursday Can you speak at the HISD Board meeting on Thursday which starts at 5 pm? You must register to speak (instructions here) before noon on Wednesday! The agenda packet is here. Your voice is crucial! Speak about why you participated in the sickout last week. Speak about why students should be supported during class, via wraparound services and even when they peacefully protest. Here are some items:
HISD once had a Chief Audit Executive and department reporting directly to the Board of Trustees. Now, more than ever, HISD needs to reinstate this role. Without it, $870 million in unauthorized contracts went unnoticed. Strengthening oversight is not optional—it’s necessary.
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