04:50 PM CST on Friday, February 18, 2005

From 11 News Staff Reports

Several organizations have joined forces hoping to prevent HISD from turning over three high schools to outside help.

KHOU-TV

"It is criminal to allow the high-paid administrators of HISD to shirk their responsibilities in educating," said Yolanda Smith of the NAACP.

The state has labeled Yates, Kashmere and Sam Houston low-performing for at least two years in a row. The superintendent said he will ask the school board to approve a plan to seek proposals from educators and outside organizations to take over and run three low-performing high schools in HISD.

But members of the NAACP, LULAC and the Houston Federation of Teachers say they're opposed to that.

"It is criminal to allow the high-paid administrators of HISD to shirk their responsibilities in educating," said Yolanda Smith of the NAACP.

The groups went on to say they do not want public tax dollars spent on private entities.

The reforms Saavedra seeks will include correcting deficiencies, raising academic standards, redesigning management practices, replacing staff, including teachers, and engaging parents.