Students Prioritized in New Budget

CASE is a collective of Houstonians committed to ensuring every student within Houston Independent School District (HISD) has the opportunity to receive a high-quality education.

If you would like to continue receiving updates, opt-in here.

Students Prioritized in New Budget

HISD 2024-2025 announced its budget this week. The new budget prioritizes students by reducing administrative costs while maintaining student-facing investments. ABC13’s full story is here.

Why it matters: School districts across the country are grappling with declining enrollment and loss of federal funding. Despite these challenges, HISD has proposed a balanced, student-centered budget that maintains high teacher salaries, promotes safety, and promotes student enrichment.

Importantly, the new budget will allow the district to avoid closing any schools.

Go deeper: The New Education System (NES) prioritizes resources, including funding, to NES campuses, serving 80,000 students, of which nearly 95% are considered economically disadvantaged and whom 98% are students of color.

By the numbers: Roughly 25 non-NES schools will have to decrease budgets by up to 12 percent, while about 35 schools will see increases to their budgets.

What they’re saying: Regarding the decision to keep all schools open, Superintendent Miles said, "It's not fair to a community to close the school when we haven't tried to improve the instruction, the programming, or supported those schools.”

Students Highlighted at Annual “State of the District”

What’s New: The HISD Foundation held its “ State of the District ” event on Thursday, an annual event that raises funds for student opportunities including international travel, educational competitions, and extracurricular activities.

Why it matters: The State of the District luncheon is the HISD Foundation’s flagship event and serves to raise money that goes directly toward student enrichment. Many students will get to experience eye-opening and life-changing opportunities because of the HISD Foundation’s philanthropic efforts.

What they’re saying: “When you look at our progress to date, we are on track and running hard,” Superintendent Miles told the audience. “We will keep moving forward so that all of our kids have that promise of America that’s still not broken. We can change their stars. Education is key to that.”

For more information or to support the HISD Foundation, click here.

Principal evaluations to be reconsidered

What’s new: HISD Board of Managers and Superintendent Miles determined at the school board meeting that principal evaluations will not be used in any adverse employment decisions.

Why it matters: While principal and teacher evaluations will continue to be prioritized, high performing schools will not see leadership changes in the next academic year as a result of the evaluations.

How to Speak at a School Board Meeting

How it works: As HISD continues to innovate and improve, it is important for the public to stay engaged and participate in the decision-making processes. One way to engage with district leaders is to attend and speak at monthly school board meetings.

Here is all the information you need to know to speak at HISD board meetings:

How to know what’s on the agenda:

How to attend:

How to speak:

This Houston Chronicle article provides additional information.

Did someone forward this email to you? Subscribe here to receive our weekly updates.