Heights - River Oaks - Montrose Edition | April 2023

EDUCATION

Community members air grievances to Texas education ocials amid HISD takeover

BY MELISSA ENAJE

“Houston ISD operates some of the highest performing schools in the state of Texas. But district proce- dures have also allowed it to operate schools where the support provided to students is not adequate,” TEA Commissioner Mike Morath wrote in a March 15 letter to the HISD board. “While the current board of trustees has made progress, systemic problems in Houston ISD continue to impact district students.” In his presentation March 21, Delgado went over the process for applying for the state-appointed board of manager positions, which TEA ocials said they hope to have in place by June 1. The last portion of the presentation was geared toward questions from the audience. Meyerland parent Ronda Harrison is the mother of a 14-year-old who attends Women’s Preparatory Acad- emy in Houston’s Third Ward. She said she was leaving the town hall more

Parents, teachers and members of the Houston ISD community are speaking out against a planned state takeover announced by the Texas Education Agency on March 15. At a community meeting hosted by the TEA March 21 at Westbury High School, attendees engaged in a contentious back-and-forth that ended with state ocials abandoning their presentation on the upcoming takeover. As Alejandro Delgado, the TEA’s deputy commissioner of oper- ations, spoke to audience members, he was interrupted by bursts from an animated crowd shouting “Makeover not takeover” and “What is the hidden agenda?” The meeting was hosted six days after the TEA initially announced its plans to take over Houston ISD and install state-appointed board manag- ers in place of HISD’s elected school board ocials.

Parents, teachers and community leaders attended the Texas Education Agency’s rst community meeting March 21 at Westbury High School. (Melissa Enaje/Community Impact)

confused than when she entered. “We came wanting answers,” Harrison said. “We didn’t get them, and so now there’s more frustration, anger, distrust because our questions were not answered; our concerns were ignored.” The deadline for individuals to apply for board of managers was April 6. As of the March 21 meeting, Delgado said 138 applicants had applied for the board. U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, DHouston, also spoke at the meeting.

Lee—who represents Texas’ 18th Congressional District, which includes parts of Houston’s inner loop—asked the TEA to give the district more time before the state takeover. “We can rene the plan,” Lee said. “You can tell us what are the under- performing schools; some of them are elementary schools. That gives us a greater opportunity.” Once in place, the board of manag- ers will assume school board duties, including setting budgets and district policies.

and preventive care. We’re bringing high-tech, high-touch care to patients. Our doctors and staff partner with you to understand your needs and work with you—not just on treatment, but also education and preventive care. Fairbanks Walk-ins welcome Same-day appointments available

Virtual visits We �ne � From prevention to goal-setting and education we’ve got you covered. Having a long-term relationship with your physician is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Extended hours offered at some locations

Our services include annual wellness visits, annual physicals, chronic care management, women’s health services, weight management, vaccinations, and smoking cessation programs, among other resources.

To schedule an appointment or learn more VillageMedical.com

Several area locations to serve you:

Medicare accepted at all Village Medical locations

Village Medical at CyFalls 9511 Huffmeister, Ste 100 Houston, TX 77095 Mon – Fri: 8am –5pm Extended hours offered at some locations Village Medical at Heights South 713-461-2915 600 N. Shepherd Bldg 5, Suite 530

Village Medical at Vintage 10220 Louetta Rd., Ste 100 Virtual visits

Village Medical at Walgreens 12314 Jones Rd. Houston, TX 77070 Mon - Fri: 7am – 7pm Sat & Sun: 9am – 5pm

Village Medical at Walgreens 14317 Cypress Rosehill Rd. Cypress, TX 77429 Mon - Fri: 7am – 7pm Sat & Sun: 9am – 5pm

Village Medical at Copperfield

15881 FM 529 Ste. A Houston, TX 77095 Mon – Fri: 8am – 5pm Walk-ins welcome

Same-day appointments available

Houston, TX 77070 Mon – Fri: 8am –5pm

Village Medical at Greenway 713-461-2915 4120 Southwest Fwy., Ste. 200

Village Medical at AIM 713-797-1087 4543 Post Oak Place, Suite 105 Houston, TX, 77027 Mon - Fri 8am - 4:30pm

To schedule an appointment or learn more VillageMedical.com

Houston , TX 77007 Mon - Fri 8am - 5pm

Houston, TX 77027 Mon - Fri 7am - 6pm

Several area locations to serve you:

Village Medical

Village Medical at

HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION • APRIL 2023