The Texas Education Agency (TEA), the state’s regulatory body for education, is poised to take over the Houston Independent School District (HISD).
Multiple outlets reported Wednesday morning that the agency has decided to dismiss HISD’s Board of Trustees and appoint a new board of managers and will make an official announcement today.
The announcement follows the publication of an article by The Texas Tribune, which reported that TEA had put up job postings on its website for a board of managers.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) tweeted Wednesday morning that she and some state legislators from the Houston area were meeting with TEA Commissioner Mike Morath to discuss delaying the announcement. It is currently unclear whether their efforts will work.
A news conference has been organized by the Houston Federation of Teachers (HFT) and Houston Educational Support Personnel at 1 p.m. Wednesday to voice their opposition to the takeover.
“While we remain resolutely opposed to the decision, we will work night and day to make sure that students have access to specific programs and services that they need and deserve to receive a high-quality public education in Houston schools,” said HFT President Jackie Anderson, per a press release provided to The Dallas Express.
The Dallas Express reached out to TEA and asked if the agency had a timetable for its takeover but did not hear back by press time.