Texas State Representative Ron Reynolds says TEA takeover of Houston ISD 'imminent'
HOUSTON - FOX 26 has an exclusive update regarding the Texas Education Agency takeover of the Houston Independent School District.
State Representative Ron Reynolds exclusively stated to FOX 26’s Isiah Carey, that he had a conversation with Commissioner Mike Morath, and within that conversation, Morath stated that he will be meeting next week with legislators from the Houston-area to let them know that the takeover is ‘imminent.'
Reynolds said that the TEA would take over once they meet with Houston-area legislators, and they would likely be sending a letter to HISD announcing the takeover. At that point, they will get input in terms of who should be on the board of managers to oversee the district. However, the board of trustees that currently oversee the district would be there as "figureheads."
Basically that means that, they wouldn’t have any power to hire a superintendent, to fire a superintendent, to hire or fire principals, or make decisions on behalf of the district.
Reynolds said legislators are "fighting vigorously against it," saying, "We believe that the takeover is wrong and HISD has done an exemplary job of raising standards under Millard House and the new board."
RELATED: Houston mayor, local leaders continue protesting TEA takeover of Houston ISD
Reynolds added that legislation was filed on Wednesday to fight the takeover.
However, according to Reynolds, Morath stated in their conversation, that they were going to take their time to make sure that they try to do it right.
Reynolds said the takeover may not happen tomorrow or next week. It’s likely within the next few months. But not days.
You can catch the full interview with Texas State Representative Ron Reynolds and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner in the Isiah Factor segment above.
During Thursday night's HISD board meeting, trustees voted to end the district's lawsuit to stop the action.
"We fought for our students', parents' and community's right to democratic voice for the last five years. We had two elections during that time. We had all of our schools achieve passing ratings and did it through a global pandemic. But we finally lost at the Supreme Court, and we don’t have any procedures left to push our case. This battle is over but our fight for democracy in public education will never be over," Trustee Elizabeth Santos said during the vote. "It is time for the community to come together and win by uniting our voices at the legislature and our neighborhood schools and at the ballot box."