HOUSTON – Another day, another elected official speaking with KPRC 2 Investigates regarding our investigation into the Houston Independent School District.
On Monday we first exposed a $2-million dollar “key action” listed in the 2024-2025 budget consisting of an “Ask voters for a bond election in November 2024.” What we uncovered was that HISD used nearly $1.4 million to hire a consulting group that specializes in communications, governmental relations and campaigns. Ultimately the district posted social media videos with the words “RENEW HISD” at the end of the highly produced thirty-second videos.
Related story: Houston ISD superintendent still ‘not available’ to speak over $2-million dollar ‘Key Action’ tied to November bond
Legal experts we have spoken with throughout our investigation questioned whether or not HISD’s actions during the initiative’s rollout were legal. State Senator Mayes Middleton telling KPRC 2 Investigates, “I think that’s electioneering,” during an interview in his office.
In Wednesday’s report Middleton said a county’s District Attorney or County Attorney can bring charges in cases of electioneering adding that, “a lot of times they don’t.”
At the end of the report we shared sentiments from the Harris County District Attorney’s Office where Sean Teare’s team made it clear they take public corruption seriously.
However, they also added they need the public’s help or law enforcement to initiate investigations. The statement ended with the one final sentence, “We encourage anyone who has information or concerns about public corruption to come forward.”
Related Story: Houston ISD approved $2M to campaign for the massive failed bond. Was it legal?
Less than 24 hours later, more than 30 Houstonians emailed DA Sean Teare and copied KPRC 2 Investigates on those emails calling for an investigation by the DA’s office into HISD’s bond rollout. After we answered all emails sent before 11 a.m., we went to the courthouse to interview Teare, “Anyone that emails our office specifically around a public corruption concern will receive a response within 24 hours giving the details on what the next steps are,” said Teare shortly after sitting down for the interview.
Those steps usually include filling out an affidavit. However, by mid-afternoon Teare’s office was sending out responses to those those who emailed indicating their appreciation while also acknowledging their complaint has been forwarded to the Chief Prosecutor of Public Integrity.
During our brief conversation the new DA did briefly touched on our investigation, “We’re not going to comment on the story. I can confirm I saw the story. I thought it was well done,” said Teare.
Related Story: ‘It makes me mad knowing we’re wasting money’: Former Houston ISD parent tracks district’s spending this year
However that is as far as he would go.
Teare says that as district attorney he will not weigh-in on investigations involving public officials in order to ensure that the everything is done by the book.
When asked if he can understand why parents are emailing KPRC 2 Investigates with questions and emailing his office because of the story? Teare did not hesitate, “Of course, I live in Houston. I was born and raised in Houston. The vast majority of my friends have children that go to HISD right now, I know the concern,” said Teare.
There is one final email to discuss. This one involves HISD Superintendent Mike Miles, who is still not answering our questions.
HISD communications team making it very clear to us in their last email on Wednesday that Miles was not available for an interview. We did email them back asking “when will he be available? Or are you making it clear he will never talk to me?”
We have been requesting time with Miles for the simple reason that as superintendent he is HISD’s Senior Budget Officer and considering his responsibilities we would like to hear his side of the story directly from him regarding what we have exposed.
Our follow-up email to HISD has gone unanswered.
