HOUSTON, Texas – Weeks after KPRC 2 Investigates revealed issues within the Houston Independent School District’s 2024-2025 budget handling over a $4 billion bond, some parents in the district are urging the Harris County District Attorney’s Office to investigate.
On Feb. 3, KPRC 2 Investigates Mario Diaz discovered that HISD allocated nearly $1.4 million to hire a consulting group specializing in communications, governmental relations, and campaigns to persuade voters to “support” a bond during the November 2024 elections.
The district shared social media videos ending with the phrase “RENEW HISD.”
The investigation raised questions about the legality of HISD’s actions during the initiative’s rollout and the potential for charges. District Attorney Sean Teare with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office encouraged anyone with “information or concerns about public corruption to come forward.”
In less than 24 hours, more than 30 Houstonians emailed DA Teare, urging an investigation into HISD’s bond rollout. One HISD mother took further action by personally filing her complaint at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
KPRC 2 Investigates was present when Laura Hanet submitted her and another parent’s complaint, requesting Teare to formally open an investigation into the district’s budget.
“This is a completely illegal action that happened, it’s electioneering, point blank. That’s exactly what it is and it needs to be addressed. It needs to be addressed by our new District Attorney and they need to investigate,” said Hanet.
When KRPC 2 Investigates asked her how much faith she has that the public integrity unit under a new District Attorney will take her complaint as well as others that are being filed or will be filed seriously? Hanet quickly responded, “It’s a really good question. I want it to be hopeful. I still want to be hopeful being that his main key point during his election times was, ‘I’m here for the people’ Well, we are the people and we want this investigation to happen for all of us,” Hanet said.
So far, two criminal complaints against HISD have been officially filed via their digtial system according to the District Attorney’s office. Teare’s office could not confirm whether an additional complaint filed on Friday has been officially recorded.
Although Teare has not commented on whether an investigation will be initiated, he acknowledged seeing KPRC 2’s original report and understanding parents’ concerns and frustration.
KPRC 2 Investigates has repeatedly reached out to HISD Superintendent Mike Miles for comment on this matter and to explain this $2-million dollar budget item. A district spokesperson told us in an email earlier this month, “Mario - Because your reporting on this issue has been irresponsibly inaccurate, no one from HISD will be speaking with you on it.”
KPRC 2 followed up with the district to find out what it believes to be inaccurate and has not heard back.
