HISD sees near-record number of speakers in last board meeting before Election Day

Plus, coalitions hold dueling press conferences praising and opposing the proposed $4.4B bond.

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Hello Houston,

With dueling press conferences, a near-record number of speakers at the board meeting, and either endorsements or opposition from every Houston organization that seems even remotely tied to public education, my colleague Megan Menchaca's time has been almost entirely occupied by Houston ISD's upcoming $4.4 billion bond proposal. Yours might be too. 

We've got some key bond updates in this edition, including the 13 people who were named to Houston ISD's new bond oversight committee Thursday.

There are T-minus 25 days until Election Day. Here are some bond basics before you head to the polls or sign up four our election course newsletter. Over five days, we'll walk you through the issues and candidates on the November ballot.

 And as always, you can let us know how you're feeling about the bond here.

This week's must read:

• The Harvard Elementary School community has rallied behind Principal Shelby Calabrese after she was put on administrative leave Monday pending an investigation, according to the district.
• Houston ISD teachers' unions said dozens of employees called Monday regarding missing pay on their pay stubs. The district said it overpaid about 4,000 employees and docked recent paychecks to recoup the money.

 

Claire Partain, Suburban reporter producer Claire.Partain@houstonchronicle.com

 

 

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A Houston ISD student wears hand-made earrings against the Houston ISD $4.4 million bond during the district's board of managers meeting at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, Oct.10, 2024, in Houston.

Photo by: Staff photographer

'No trust. No bond:' HISD sees near-record number of speakers at board meeting before bond election

Houston ISD saw a near-record number of speakers register to speak in more than three hours of public comment at its final Board of Managers meeting before Election Day Thursday.

More than 160 parents, students, and state representatives registered to speak Thursday, with many in opposition to the district's upcoming $4.4 billion bond proposal. Before the meeting, bond opponents rallied outside with signs reading "Vote no for the bad HISD bond" or "Beep Beep. Bad bond."

"You want us to say yes to spending $4.4 billion on schools, but it could turn $8.9 billion in debt over 30 years," HISD student Naya Dewart said. "That's a lot more money. Families could already have a hard time paying for everything. We all know schools need money, but how can we agree to this without knowing for sure if it will help us or not. ... No trust. No bond."

Early Friday morning, the Houston ISD board of Managers unanimously approved the list of members and charter for the bond oversight committee, which will be responsible for monitoring progress of bond projects, providing regular updates to district leaders, communicating allegations of wrongdoing, potential waste or fraud to the superintendent and other oversight duties if voters approve the bond measure on Nov. 5.

Here are the 13 new committee members and two alternates selected by HISD.

 

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Inside the Reporter's Notebook

Our team has been on at least eight school tours and, surprisingly, seen many tears since last week.

Last week, Megan visited five schools, including Hobby Elementary School, Black Middle School, Cage Elementary and Project Chrysalis Middle School and Benavidez Elementary School, which I also visited yesterday after a bond proponents' meeting.

Two days prior, I sat with school officials as Superintendent Mike Miles dabbed away tears at Thompson Elementary. 

Hours later, a principal attempted to hold back tears of her own as Miles conducted one of his spot checks, where he tours schools and visits classrooms to see how the NES system has been implemented.

To me, the tours depicted both a shining example of NES in Miles' eyes and the system's uneven implementation thus far.

It also revealed what seemed to be sizeable pressure for school leadership to successfully implement his vision of "wholescale systemic reform."

We'll have several stories related to these next week, including bond updates, spot check takeaways and a look at the new Cullen Military Academy. Stay tuned!

 

 

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What Else Happened This Week

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer Who did HISD's board select to join bond oversight committee? Here's the list. Houston ISD's Board of Managers named 13 people and two alternates to the committee overseeing the proposed $4.4 billion school bond. Here's who was selected. Read More

 

Photo by: Yi-Chin Lee, Staff Photographer Dueling press conferences highlight divisive nature of HISD's $4.4B proposal In separate press conferences, two coalitions shared their arguments for why voters should either support or oppose Houston ISD's $4.4 billion school bond. Read More

 

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Staff Photographer Why are there more threats against Houston area schools? Experts explain Experts pointed to copycat behavior and social media environment as reasons for rise in school threats. Read More

 

Photo by: Raquel Natalicchio, Staff Photographer Bellaire High School teacher arrested after attempted traffic stop Bellaire Police said officers found a stolen gun and a minor's social security card after an attempted traffic stop of an HISD teacher. Read More

 

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Staff Photographer Houston ISD's Sam Houston High School locked down Wednesday Houston ISD's Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center entered a lockdown Wednesday morning as a precaution due to nearby police activity. Read More

 

Photo by: Joseph Bui, Contributor See which 2 Houston private schools rank among the best in the nation Houston's private K-12 schools topped the charts for the best private schools in the U.S. in 2025. See if your school made the list. Read More

 

Photo by: Melissa Phillip, Staff Photographer Here's how HISD would upgrade school security if voters approve its $4.4B bond HISD's $4.4 billion school bond proposes spending $384 million for safety improvements at 263 schools, including upgrades to fencing, doors and security cameras. Read More

 

Photo by: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer HISD needs a bond. Just not this one. | Opinion Just like the dockworkers who were striking because the wealthy don't listen to the everyday man, the same is happening in HISD. Read More

 

Photo by: Kirk Sides/Staff Photographer Here are 5 ways to get more involved in your child's HISD school Whether you've had a child in schools for years or are brand new to Houston ISD, here's a look at some of the ways you can get more involved in the district. Read More

 

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The Calendar Ahead

• Oct. 12: Supt. Mike Miles meets with Phyllis Wheatley Metropolitan Alumni and Ex Students Association
• Oct. 16, 12:30 p.m.: Houston Chronicle Editorial Board event featuring HISD bond discussion
• Oct. 16: PSAT/NMSQT mandatory testing for high school students
• Oct. 23: SAT School Day for certain high school seniors

 

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Meet The Team

Photo by: Susan Barber

Our HISD coverage is fueled by reporting from Megan Menchaca, Nusaiba Mizan, Claire Partain and Anastasia Goodwin. Jennifer Radcliffe is the education team editor. 

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.  

 

 

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