HOUSTON — The Texas Education Agency on Wednesday heard community members' concerns, complaints and questions at its third community meeting over the state takeover of Houston ISD.
Wednesday night’s meeting was held in a different format than the first two meetings, which were taken over by the crowd demanding answers from TEA Commissioner Mike Morath.
Instead of delivering a presentation on the process of appointing a board of managers set to replace an elected board of trustees, TEA Deputy Commissioner Alejandro Delgado fielded questions and concerns about the takeover from the community.
Community members shared concerns about the board of managers' accountability, how takeovers of other districts have been handled, why the takeover is happening in the first place and more.
"Who’s going to hold this TEA-appointed board accountable? How is my voice going to be heard? My son’s a freshman in high school. We’ve got three more years to go," one parent said.
"We don't know their backgrounds. [Commissioner Morath] gets to decide who they are. That's why we have elections and we get to vote. We get to express our rights to go and do research on the candidates that we can find out which ones we want to pick," another parent said.
Frustrated community members continued to call for Commissioner Morath to answer questions directly.
"Let me talk to Mike," a community member shouted early in the meeting. "How are you going to say you respect us and he don't show up?"
Wednesday evening’s full meeting can be watched below:
The TEA said it intends to appoint a board of managers by June 1. The deadline for applications is April 6.
According to Delgado, the TEA is looking for a board of local Houstonians that reflects the diversity of HISD. To be considered for the position, applicants must live within the district's boundaries.
A fourth and final community meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Kashmere High School.