HOUSTON – Early Friday morning, after a marathon board meeting that stretched more than 8 hours, Houston ISD board members approved resignation agreements for teachers and principals. Decisions were made behind closed doors and the public vote was a bit vague.
“Madam President, I move that the board approves the closed session personnel agenda, including specifically that the board approves proposed terminations, non-renewals of continuing term performance and probationary contracts, and authorize the superintendent or designee to provide notice of same, that the board approves suspensions without pay for continuing term and probationary contracts, and authorizes superintendent or designee to provide notice of same, that the board voids term, probationary and performance contracts and authorize the superintendent or designee to provide notice of same, that the board approves withdrawals of contract recommendations, and that the board approves issuance of final orders on contract terminations and non-renewals as discussed in closed session effective May 24th, 2024.”
We don’t know what sort of numbers we’re looking at with turnover. The board hasn’t been specific, nor has Superintendent Mike Miles, except to emphasize that teacher and principal positions are not being cut because they’ll all be replaced with qualified candidates who bring the attitude he and his team are looking for.
“The real question is will we be able to fill our positions with people who have the continuing improvement mindset,” Miles told KPRC 2′s Gage Goulding on May 9 during a question and answer session about the budget deficit, which had grown to $528 million the last time Miles talked about it publicly. That was May 16 when he explained how painful the cuts and turnover are, but the reality check is he and his administration saved the district from falling off a fiscal cliff.
Among a chorus of concerns is the worry Rochelle Cabe talked about with KPRC 2′s Gage Goulding. She has two children in HISD and says one of them has a very strong bond with his teacher.
“This teacher has been invaluable for my child. My child is a sensitive child. My son who is in elementary school and he is very, dependent on a teacher that has a personal connection with him.”
Cabe says she’s concerned about how the district will find and hire qualified teachers.
“I’m absolutely concerned. I don’t understand how they’re going to set up for the next year.”
“Our principal at Meyerland Middle School is beloved,” said Cabe of principal J. Auden Sarabia. “There’s never a time you don’t see Mr. Sarabia in the hallway when he’s not helping a kid, when he’s not going to a classroom. He is that principal that you want.”
“Now, if you resign, you don’t have the opportunity to talk to the district, hear exactly what they have against you,” Cabe said. “If you terminate, they’ll give you the option to see what’s in your file, talk about it, and you get the right to appeal to the TEA.”
Cabe is the school’s incoming Parent Teacher Organization president for Meyerland.