December 15, 2023
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 | Cat DeLaura, Audience producer |
Best of the Bayou
Today we're talking about HISD's District of Innovation vote...
If you read one thing: Houston ISD is now a District of Innovation after its appointed Board of Managers unanimously voted Thursday to adopt the designation, allowing HISD to exempt itself from seven state education laws.
What laws will HISD exempt itself from now?
Beginning next year, HISD will use their DOI status to start the school year in early August and add additional days of instruction to the academic calendar. The status also will allow HISD to hire uncertified teachers without requesting a waiver, though the DOI planning committee said it will only use this exemption at the high school level.
The district also plans to use the status to implement its own teacher evaluations, add more professional development at the district level, determine its own minimum attendance requirements and expand the number of days that students can be excused for college visits. Finally, the DOI plan will also exempt HISD from following a new state law that would require the district to send students to a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program if they are caught vaping.
What else did the board vote on at Thursday's meeting?
In addition to the DOI vote, the board also approved a measure that will allow the district to request waivers to hire counselors without a certification, a move which raised alarm among industry professionals.
HISD argued that the move was necessary due to a nationwide counselor shortage.
- Read Sam González Kelly's full story on the board's vote here.
Stay in the Loop
Photo by: Susan Barber
📰 Need to Know
- Harris County Judge Natalia Cornelio under fire for death row case. Harris County prosecutors are accusing a first-term Democratic judge of stalling legal decisions and proceedings that could bring death row inmate Harlem Lewis closer to execution.
- Will the COP28 fossil fuel pledge prove out? The COP28 agreement is non-binding and rife with disclaimers, but at the same time it sent a clear message to governments and industry to start shifting away from fossil fuels.
- Believe it or not, you're still required to fly with airplane mode on. Despite what some may think, airplane mode is not a thing of the past. The FAA and FCC still require travelers to turn it on when flying the friendly skies. Here's why.
- Houston parks report highlights disparities in low-income areas. Houston has fallen behind other large Texas cities in meeting residents' green space needs equitably, according to a recent study.
💼 Business
- New climbing gym coming to the East End and other recent real estate deals. Austin-based Crux Climbing is planning its first Houston location in a yet-to-be converted warehouse within The Plant, a 17-acre walkable mixed-use district underway by Houston real estate firm Concept Neighborhood.
🚗 Outside the Loop
- TEA data shows which Montgomery County schools saw the most dropouts. School districts in Montgomery County continue to see issues with student dropout rates, although some saw dropout numbers decrease.
- CROWN Act author: Barbers Hill ISD is not adhering to the spirit of the law amid Black student's suspension. "(Barbers Hill is) intentionally discriminating," said one of the authors of the bill, State Rep. Ron Reynolds. "The CROWN Act was certainly passed to protect [Darryl] George; it is a shame that they're still doing this."
- A Texas City man whose body was found in 1986 was identified by Montgomery County authorities. The man's body was found submerged in Crater Lake near Conroe in 1986. He has been identified as Clarence Wilson.
Point of View
Wait, did Harris County just have a smooth election? Thank Teneshia Hudspeth.
Thank the Democrat who oversaw the first smooth voting in Harris County in a long time — and the Republican who put her at the helm, writes the Editorial Board.
- Houstonians must oppose a return to our white supremacist past. "Texas has an inglorious history of white supremacy," writes one reader in a letter to the Editor. "We seceded from two different countries to preserve slavery and lionized the secessionists for generations as heroes."
Houston vs. All Y'all
Photo by: Jason Fochtman/Staff Photographer
Black head coaches meeting in both Class 6A finals a new day in Texas high school football.
Only 12 Black head coaches have won UIL state titles but two more are guaranteed this week as all four Class 6A head coaches are Black, writes columnist Jerome Solomon.
- C.J. Stroud misses another practice in concussion protocol. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said he would make sure Stroud was healthy before playing him.
- Brooks is more than 'Dillon the Villain,' but will Memphis fans agree when Rockets visit Friday? Memphians loved the forward's persona when he was one of them. On Friday, he'll find out how they feel now that he's a Rocket.
- Bellville brothers D.J. Sanders and D.D. Murray lead the way in state title game run. Senior defensive lineman D.J. Sanders and junior running back D.D. Murray have been causing havoc on both sides of the field all year long for Bellville.
Get Out
Photo by: Photo Courtesy Of Deanna Vaters
Giant Buc-ee's gingerbread house designed by holiday-loving Texas couple.
Deanna and Tony Vaters designed a gingerbread house based on the Buc-ee's in Bastrop. The gingerbread Buc-ee's is now on display at the Williamson County Tax Assessors Office.
- Review: Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan drive brilliant, searing 'Maestro.': Coming off his success in the remake of "A Star Is Born," Cooper directs and stars in one of the best biopics in recent years, writes Mick LaSalle.
Enjoy the weekend, folks!
Puzzle of the Day: Typeshift
Slide the columns of words up and down to form words in the highlighted row. Score points for each solid letter.
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