HISD’s board is considering important decisions that could affect the district’s finances and how the community interacts with its administration. The state-appointed board will discuss a possible sale of district property and changes to how the district handles public information requests, which are part of a broader effort to manage ongoing financial and operational challenges. Here is what you need to know.
One of the major topics the board will address is a resolution to update how HISD defines “business days” under the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA). The TPIA governs how public entities like school districts handle requests for information, which means when someone from the public asks for documents or data, the district has a set amount of time to respond.
The proposed resolution would redefine “business days” to include only weekdays (Monday through Friday) that are not national or state holidays. This change is tied to House Bill 3033, a new law that took effect on Sept 1, 2023. The bill allows school boards to designate up to 10 days each year as non-business days when district offices might be closed or running with limited staff. These days wouldn’t count as business days for handling information requests.
This change could impact how quickly the district responds to requests for public information, which might be especially important for community members, parents, and other stakeholders looking to get answers or access to records. The district could temporarily delay responses by declaring certain days as non-business days, giving administrators more flexibility.
Potential Property Sale on Mesa Drive
The board will also discuss selling a small property on Mesa Drive in northeast Houston. The property, less than an acre in size, is close to the district’s Education Learning Center and is situated between other pieces of land owned by the GC Community Development Corporation. The board may declare this property as “surplus,” meaning it’s no longer needed for district operations, and authorize its sale to an adjacent property owner.
While this sale might seem small, it’s part of a larger conversation about how the district manages its resources amid a $528 million budget shortfall. This financial gap comes from a combination of factors, including stagnant state funding, declining student enrollment, and the increased costs of operating Superintendent Mike Miles’ New Education System (NES). Schools in the NES program receive higher funding per student ($9,445 compared to $6,882 at non-NES schools), contributing to budget challenges.
In addition to discussing the sale of the Mesa Drive property, the board will also consider a new rule allowing the proceeds from property sales to go directly into the district’s general fund. This change could give HISD more flexibility to use money from property sales to address immediate budget concerns.
However, this proposal has raised concerns among community members. Many worry that selling off district property to fill budget gaps is only a temporary solution and could hurt the district in the long run by reducing its asset base. Critics argue that HISD needs more sustainable financial strategies to address its budget issues rather than relying on selling land.
With HISD facing financial pressures, many in the community are concerned about how the district’s decisions will impact students, teachers, and families. The $528 million shortfall is a major issue, especially as state funding has remained flat while costs continue to rise. The unequal funding between NES and non-NES schools has also sparked debate, with some feeling that resources are unevenly distributed.
The potential sale of district property, like the Mesa Drive land, has added to these concerns. While selling surplus land might provide a quick financial boost, many worry it won’t solve the district’s larger financial problems. Additionally, the new rule allowing property sale proceeds to go into the general fund could open the door for more sales in the future, leaving the district with fewer resources down the line.
Other Agenda Items
Beyond the property sale and TPIA resolution, the HISD board will consider several other policy changes. One key item is a second policy reading confirming that the district has met its District Innovation requirements. This designation allows the district to start the school year earlier and hire uncertified teachers without needing approval from the Texas Education Agency.
The board will also discuss updates to its homebound instruction policy, which would allow the district to provide remote, rather than in-person, instruction to students who cannot attend school due to medical conditions.