Convenience Big Store: Hundreds of Houston-area students disciplined for vaping under new Texas law

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Hello, Houston,

It's the beginning of 2024, and with a new year, there's bound to be lots of changes coming to Houston ISD. So, what can you expect to see? In the next few weeks, the district is expected to announce the list of New Education System schools for 2024-25, launch the school choice application, set the school calendar for the upcoming school year — and more.

You'll also see four newly elected HISD trustees, who were all sworn in at district headquarters on Thursday in a small ceremony surrounded by family and friends. While the elected trustees don't have any power over the district right now, they can advise the appointed Board of Managers and serve as advocates for the district they represent.

But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. Keep reading for a look at what's happening in HISD this week, including a new lawsuit against the district.

We are looking to talk to families who decided to leave HISD in 2023 or plan to leave soon. Let us know here or by replying directly to this email.

Megan Menchaca, Houston ISD Reporter

megan.menchaca@houstonchronicle.com

Hundreds of Houston-area students disciplined for vaping under new Texas law

How should Texas school districts punish students for vaping while in school?

For nearly every Texas state lawmaker, the answer is a zero-tolerance law that mandates a one-size-fits-all approach for every school district. As of Sept. 1, all students caught with e-cigarettes in public schools now must go to a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program, a center designated for students in serious trouble.

HISD, however, doesn't exactly see eye to eye with the Texas Legislature on their solution for curbing youth vaping in schools. The state's largest school district — along with dozens of other districts — have already opted out of House Bill 114, saying that the policy provides no flexibility, even for first-time offenders.

In just the largest five Houston-area school districts, more than 1,300 students have already been disciplined for using, possessing or selling an e-cigarette, including a handful of elementary school students.

Houston ISD spokesperson Joseph Sam said placing students in a DAEP setting disrupts their learning and contributes to lower graduation rates. The district's teachers and principals can handle vaping discipline on a case-by-case basis, he said.

"If this law negatively impacts even one student's chances of graduating on time, it is unacceptable," Sam said.

Read more here for a deeper look at how the new vaping law is affecting students in HISD and other school districts.

What Else Happened This Week

The Hattie Mae White Education Support Center is seen before a Houston ISD school board meeting, Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023, in Houston.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

HISD faces EEOC suit for paying women in some jobs less

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued HISD on Thursday for allegedly paying some female career and technical education specialists less than their male counterparts.

Macario Garcia, second from left, joined hundreds of fellow Stephen F. Austin High School students who walked out to protest conditions at the East End campus on Oct. 20, 1989, in Houston.

Photo by: Carlos Antonio Rios/Houston Chronicle

When Latino students at an East End HISD school demanded change

Eager to learn but lacking the resources, the predominantly Latino student body at Stephen F. Austin High School in the East End revolted in the fall of 1989.

James Buchanan, a DJ, shows a video to students during a music DYAD class at Lawson Middle School on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 in Houston. Houston ISD state-appointed superintendent Mike Miles introduced the DYAD program at the district's schools this year, where contractors come to the school to teach programs like photography, gardening, boxing, golf, yoga, spin, videography, piano, guitar.

Photo by: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer

How much are HISD superintendent Miles' changes costing the district?

Houston ISD's appointed Superintendent Miles Miles has introduced reforms costing millions of dollars this year as part of his New Education System model and other reforms.

Third grade dual language program students are learning in the classroom on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023 at Gregg Elementary School in Houston.

Photo by: Yi-Chin Lee, Staff Photographer

Here's a look at the changes coming for Houston ISD families in 2024

This year, Houston ISD is looking to take the first steps at implementing its DOI plan, add more schools to the NES model and accelerate the school choice application process.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire (left) and Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath (right) met Jan. 8, 2024, to discuss the direction of Houston ISD.

Photo by: Houston Chronicle

New Houston mayor Whitmire reaffirms support for HISD amid takeover

Whitmire met with both Morath and Miles during his campaign for mayor and said he would lend whatever assistance was needed to Miles and his administration.

Cy-Fair ISD Superintendent Mark Henry visits with students in school over the summer.

Photo by: Courtesy Of Cy-Fair ISD / Submitted

See the top public school superintendent salaries in Houston and Texas

Cypress Fairbanks and Barbers Hill ISDs have some of the highest paid superintendents in Texas, according to data from the Texas Education Agency.

The Calendar Ahead

• Jan. 15: School holiday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Jan. 17: Phase 1 school choice applications open
• Jan. 18: Board of Managers meeting
• Week of Jan. 22: HISD expected to release accountability ratings and new list of NES campuses
• Feb. 8: Board of Managers meeting; vote on 2024-25 school calendar
• Feb. 23: Phase 1 school choice applications due

Shoutout

Elementary students compete in MLK Jr. Oratory Competition:

HISD fourth- and fifth-graders competed Friday in the MLK Jr. Oratory Competition, giving speeches answering the question: "How Would Dr. King Reflect on the 60 Years Since his 'I Have a Dream' Speech?"

More than 160 students from 20 schools entered the competition, which began with in-school rounds in October and November. Ultimately, 12 finalists competed Friday to win the competition with a three-to-five-minute speech.

The students' speeches address a wide range of topics, including racial discrimination, gun violence, the killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, and the progress that still needs to be made to achieve justice and equality in the U.S.

The finalists are Najarad Ross, Aniya Brewington, Ilsa Lucia Aguilar, Josue Martinez, Solieh McKnight, Cheyenne Michel, Edlawit Getachew, Elena Villarroel, Joy Nsude, Ziggy Varnado, Montoia Murray and Sydni Law. Make sure to congratulate them for their hard work and incredible speeches!

Know a teacher, staff or student who deserves a shoutout? Let us know here or by replying to this email.

Meet The Team

Photo by: Susan Barber

Our HISD coverage is fueled by reporting from Anna Bauman, Megan Menchaca, Sam González Kelly and Anastasia Goodwin. Assistant City Editor Jennifer Radcliffe also helps contribute to this newsletter.

You can reach out to any of them by emailing them at their firstname.lastname@houstonchronicle.com, filling out this survey or by replying directly to this email.