Bellaire - Meyerland - West University | May 2026

Education

BY EMILY LINCKE

HISD allows autonomy at 4 more high schools Four Houston ISD high schools and a prekinder- garten program are one step closer to gaining more control over curriculum, hiring, assessments and calendars after the district’s board of managers approved a state-funded partnership initiative during a special meeting March 26. The gist During the meeting, HISD’s board of managers unanimously approved Senate Bill 1882 partnerships between ve nonprots, four high-performing high schools and a district pre-K program. The partner- ships are slated to launch for the 2026-27 school year, but still need Texas Education Agency approval, according to a March 27 news release. If approved, the schools would gain increased autonomy over curriculum, assessments, calendars, stang, hiring and evaluation, as well as potentially receive $1,200-$1,400 more state funding per student. 69

Leaders granted power to cut stang HISD administrators and campus leaders were granted authority to consider cutting or reorganizing teacher and other employee positions for the 2026-27 school year during the district’s board of managers’ regular April 9 meeting. Current situation The board of managers unanimously approved two “Reduction In Force” initia- tives that will allow district and campus leaders to work toward a budget reduction via multiple stang avenues. However, district ocials said the move does not mean layos will happen imme- diately, but that it is a required step under board policy in case cuts become necessary. The initiative is brought to the board for consideration annually.

290 The partnerships will allow campuses to be granted some autonomy. 1 Challenge Early College High School 2 Energy Institute High School 3 Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts 4 Houston Academy for International Studies Early College High School 45

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610 Partners include: • Friends of Challenge Early College High School • Friends of Energy Institute • HSPVA Friends • Friends of the Houston Academy for International Studies • Pre-K programs operated by the nonproit Collaborative for Children

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SOURCE: HOUSTON ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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