Tag Archives: HISD

Interview with Bridget Wade

Posted on September 27, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

I ran interviews two weeks ago with incumbent HISD trustees Sue Deigaard and Anne Sung. This week I will be running interviews with three of the candidates who are running against them – my schedule for publishing interviews is necessarily … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2021 | Tagged Bridget Wade, Election 2021, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, interviews | 2 Comments

Looking for the missing students

Posted on September 24, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

More important than usual this year. The state’s largest school district recorded a first-day enrollment of 172,091 students, a significant decrease compared with previous years. It is not uncommon for enrollment to lag, even to its lowest point of the … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged coronavirus, HISD, Millard House, quarantine, schools, Texas, Texas Education Agency | Comments Off

Interview with Matias Kopinsky

Posted on September 23, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

We wrap up our tour of HISD District I this week with Matias Kopinsky. Kopinsky is the son of Argentine immigrants who grew up speaking Spanish. He attended Herod Elementary, Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School, and Bellaire High … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2021 | Tagged Election 2021, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, interviews, Matias Kopinsky | Comments Off

Interview with Janette Garza Lindner

Posted on September 22, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

We continue with HISD District I, and today’s candidate is Janette Garza Lindner. A native of Brownsville, Garza Lindner has lived in Houston for 20 years. She is a UT graduate with a degree in Management Information Systems, and has … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2021 | Tagged Election 2021, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, interviews, Janette Lindner | 1 Comment

Interview with Elizabeth Santos

Posted on September 20, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

This week we will meet the three candidates in HISD District I, which happens to be my district. Elizabeth Santos is the incumbent, having been elected in 2017 after Anna Eastman decided to not run again. Santos is a lifelong … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2021 | Tagged Election 2021, Elizabeth Santos, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, interviews | 2 Comments

Interview with Anne Sung

Posted on September 15, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

We continue with HISD candidate interviews, moving over to District VII for a visit with incumbent Anne Sung. I almost wrote “first-term incumbent”, but Sung won a special election in 2016 to succeed Harvin Moore, and was then re-elected for … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2021 | Tagged Anne Sung, Election 2021, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, interviews | Comments Off

Interview with Sue Deigaard

Posted on September 13, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Hey, remember how there are elections this fall? It’s true! Not for the city of Houston, but for HISD and HCC, and you know what that means – candidate interviews. As you may imagine, there are a few topics of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2021 | Tagged Election 2021, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, interviews, Sue Deigaard | 5 Comments

A bit of good news in the wastewater

Posted on September 12, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

I’ll take it where I can get it. Community spread of coronavirus is on the decline from its recent summertime high, but experts warn that Labor Day gatherings and kids’ return to classrooms could bring a rash of new infections … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged Catherine Troisi, coronavirus, face masks, HISD, hospitals, Houston, Medical Center, schools, Texas, wastewater | Comments Off

We really need a mask mandate at every school district

Posted on September 9, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Or we can just accept a lot more hospitalized kids. Easy choice if you ask me. The number of Texas children hospitalized with COVID-19 hit an all-time high over the weekend, with 345 on Saturday and 307 on Sunday, the … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Centers for Disease Control, coronavirus, face masks, Greg Abbott, HISD, lawsuit, local control, Millard House, schools, Texas, Texas Department of State Health Services, vaccinations | 1 Comment

A rough start to the school year

Posted on September 4, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

For some districts more than others. Angleton and Livingston ISDs announced this week they temporarily were shutting down their schools, the first Houston-area districts to halt all in-person learning amid rising numbers of COVID-19 cases among students and staff, but … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Angleton, coronavirus, face masks, Greg Abbott, Harris County, HISD, lawsuit, Livingston, local control, schools, Spring, Texas, Texas City ISD, Texas Education Agency, Waco | 1 Comment

What about City Council and redistricting?

Posted on August 30, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Of interest: . NEW: Except for #DistrictD, all the #CouncilDistricts held by minorities need to add people to equalize population in #Houston’s #political jurisdictions. #redistricting @MarcCommentary @jcortina @PabloMPinto @houtopia @ReneeCrossTX @UHPoliticalSci @MarkPJonesTX @bjrottinghaus — hectordeleon (@hdl_perspective) 9:54 PM – 21 … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Census, Election 2011, Election 2021, Election 2023, HISD, Houston, Houston City Council, redistricting, Texas | 1 Comment

More injunctions against the mask mandate bans

Posted on August 29, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Keep ’em coming. Concluding that Gov. Greg Abbott exceeded his authority by banning mask mandates in Texas, an Austin judge ruled Friday that school districts in Travis County can enforce face coverings as a COVID-19 precaution. State District Judge Catherine … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged Austin, Austin ISD, Christian Menefee, coronavirus, Dallas ISD, face masks, Fort Worth, Greg Abbott, Harris County, HISD, Ken Paxton, local control, Pflugerville, schools, Southern Center for Child Advocacy, Supreme Court, Texas, Texas Disaster Act, Third Court of Appeals, Travis County | 3 Comments

HISD starts its year

Posted on August 24, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Good luck, kids. You too, parents. For the second straight year, Houston ISD is set to welcome back nearly 200,000 students in the midst of a pandemic. The similarities between last year and Monday’s reopening end there, however. HISD entered … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged coronavirus, face masks, Harris County, HISD, Houston, Millard House, schools, Texas, vaccinations | 2 Comments

The mask rebellion

Posted on August 22, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Sweet, sweet music to the ears. The local mask rebellion, coupled with the fresh threat of legal action from President Joe Biden’s administration, poses the most serious challenge yet to [Gov. Greg] Abbott’s emergency powers, which he has wielded in … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged Bexar County, Cameron County, coronavirus, Dallas County, Election 2021, Election 2022, face masks, Greg Abbott, Harris County, Hays County, Hidalgo County, HISD, Ken Paxton, lawsuit, local control, Nueces County, Paris ISD, polls, schools, Supreme Court, Texas, Travis County, vaccinations | 18 Comments

Yes, the wastewater is also pointing to a COVID surge

Posted on August 22, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

In case you were wondering. There is more COVID-19 in the city’s wastewater system now than at any time in the pandemic, city officials said Wednesday, the latest warning that the virus is spreading at an unprecedented rate. Dr. David … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged Baylor College of Medicine, coronavirus, David Persse, HISD, hospitals, Houston, Houston Department of Health and Human Services, Lauren Stadler, Millard House, Rice University, schools, sewers, Solid Waste Management Department, vaccinations, wastewater, water | 4 Comments

A few words from the CEO of the Medical Center

Posted on August 21, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

From an interview he did with Lisa Gray. What we’re seeing, sadly, is more of the same, only with more intense numbers. The number of people who are testing positive in our community continues to escalate month over month. The … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged Austin City Limits, coronavirus, face masks, Greg Abbott, Harris County, HISD, hospitals, Houston, Ken Paxton, Lina Hidalgo, local control, Medical Center, schools, Texas, The Lege, vaccinations | 10 Comments

SCOTx demurs

Posted on August 20, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Very interesting: . Important context here > — Jasper Scherer (@jaspscherer) 6:55 PM – 19 August 2021 . The Texas Supreme Court has left in place a Travis County judge’s TRO (that blocked @GovAbbott’s ban on mask mandates in Austin), … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged 4th Court of Appeals, Austin, Bexar County, coronavirus, face masks, Fort Bend County, Fort Bend ISD, Greg Abbott, Harris County, HISD, Ken Paxton, lawsuit, local control, San Antonio, San Antonio ISD, Supreme Court, Texas, Travis County, vaccinations | 6 Comments

Using the dress code to skirt the ban on mask mandates

Posted on August 19, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Brilliant! The Paris school district found a loophole in Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order preventing mask mandates across the state. Paris ISD’s board of trustees voted to alter the district’s dress code to include masks, according to its website. The school district, which is located … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Austin, Bexar County, coronavirus, Dallas County, Dallas ISD, face masks, Greg Abbott, Harris County, HISD, Ken Paxton, Lamar County, lawsuit, local control, Michael Hinojosa, Paris, Paris ISD, Pflugerville, schools, Southern Center for Child Advocacy, Supreme Court, Texas, Travis County | 2 Comments

HISD warns of “consequences” for not complying with their mask mandate

Posted on August 18, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Consequences are, well, a natural consequence of non-compliance. Houston ISD students and employees who refuse to wear masks when the school year begins could face discipline and be forced to temporarily learn online under new guidelines released by the district. … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Bloomburg, coronavirus, face masks, Greg Abbott, HFT, HISD, Houston, Iraan, Katy ISD, local control, Millard House, Pecos County, Texas, Waskom | 6 Comments

There actually is still a court order that allows for mask mandates in place

Posted on August 17, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Hey, remember that other lawsuit filed against Greg Abbott’s ban on mask mandates, by the Southern Center for Child Advocacy? I noted it in passing in this post, and then like you I forgot about it. And then on Sunday … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged Arlington ISD, Austin, Austin ISD, Bexar County, Clay Jenkins, coronavirus, Dallas, Dallas County, Dallas ISD, face masks, Greg Abbott, HISD, Houston, Ken Paxton, lawsuit, local control, Michael Hinojosa, Richardson ISD, schools, Southern Center for Child Advocacy, Texas | 10 Comments

SCOTx does what SCOTx does

Posted on August 16, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Room service, as always. The Texas Supreme Court on Sunday temporarily blocked mask mandates in Dallas and Bexar counties, marking a pivotal moment in the showdown between state and local government as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations surge in Texas. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged 4th Court of Appeals, 5th Court of Appeals, Austin, Bexar County, Christian Menefee, coronavirus, Dallas County, face masks, Greg Abbott, Harris County, HISD, Ken Paxton, lawsuit, Lina Hidalgo, local control, schools, Steve Adler, Supreme Court, Texas, Texas Disaster Act, Travis County | 10 Comments

And it’s off to SCOTx for the mandate stuff

Posted on August 15, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

It’s where it was always headed. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is taking the mask mandate battle to the state Supreme Court after the state was defeated in its attempts to overturn such mandates in San Antonio and other municipalities. … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged 4th Court of Appeals, 5th Court of Appeals, Bexar County, Christian Menefee, Clay Jenkins, coronavirus, Dallas County, face masks, Greg Abbott, Harris County, HISD, Ken Paxton, lawsuit, Lina Hidalgo, local control, schools, Supreme Court, Texas, Texas Disaster Act, Travis County | 6 Comments

Harris County gets its restraining order against Abbott

Posted on August 14, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Step one. A judge in Travis County on Friday granted Harris County a temporary restraining order, blocking Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban on local COVID-19 restrictions. The decision by Judge Jan Soifer of the 345th Civil District Court provides legal cover … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters, Local politics | Tagged Bexar County, Christian Menefee, coronavirus, Dallas County, face masks, Fort Worth, Greg Abbott, Harris County, HISD, Ken Paxton, lawsuit, Lina Hidalgo, local control, schools, Supreme Court, Tarrant County, Texas, Texas Disaster Act | 15 Comments

Harris County sues Abbott and issues a mask mandate

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Quite the busy day yesterday. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo on Thursday issued a mandatory mask order for Harris County schools and daycares, joining the chorus of elected officials in the Texas’ larges cities in defying Gov. Greg Abbott’s order … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters, Local politics | Tagged Bexar County, Christian Menefee, Commissioners Court, coronavirus, Dallas County, face masks, Greg Abbott, Harris County, Harris County Attorney, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Ken Paxton, lawsuit, Lina Hidalgo, local control, Millard House, Supreme Court, Texas | 20 Comments

Fort Bend joins the lawsuit parade

Posted on August 12, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Come on in, the water’s fine. As the Delta variant drives a pandemic surge, Fort Bend County officials on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order banning local government from implementing public health mandates. “I’ll do all … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters, School days, The great state of Texas | Tagged 5th Court of Appeals, Bexar County, Clay Jenkins, coronavirus, Dallas County, face masks, Fort Bend County, Fort Worth, Greg Abbott, HISD, Joe Biden, Ken Paxton, KP George, lawsuit, local control, Millard House, Nelson Wolff, schools, Supreme Court, Texas, The Lege, US Department of Education | 7 Comments

Dallas ISD to require masks

Posted on August 10, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Good for them. Starting Tuesday, Dallas ISD will require students and teachers to wear masks at its campuses, defying Gov. Greg Abbott’s order that bars districts from issuing mask mandates. Superintendent Michael Hinojosa announced the change during a Monday morning … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters, School days | Tagged Austin, Austin ISD, Christian Menefee, coronavirus, Dallas, Dallas ISD, face masks, Greg Abbott, Harris County Attorney, HISD, Houston, lawsuit, local control, Michael Hinojosa, Millard House, schools, Southern Center for Child Advocacy, Texas | 3 Comments

There needs to be more defiance of Greg Abbott and his no-mandates mandate

Posted on August 8, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

I find a bit of a pattern in this story and wonder if there may be something to it. School districts, local officials and hospitals are pushing back on Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order barring mask and vaccine mandates, setting … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged Austin ISD, Clay Jenkins, coronavirus, Dallas County, El Paso, face masks, Greg Abbott, HISD, hospitals, Houston, John Zerwas, Ken Paxton, local control, Millard House, Sylvester Turner, Texas, vaccinations | 20 Comments

HISD to consider mask mandate

Posted on August 7, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

This would be a big deal, for all the obvious reasons. Houston ISD Superintendent Millard House II said Thursday he plans to bring a mask mandate for ratification to the district’s board meeting next week, setting the stage for the … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged coronavirus, face masks, Greg Abbott, Harris County, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Lina Hidalgo, local control, Millard House, schools, Sylvester Turner, Texas Education Agency | 3 Comments

July 2021 campaign finance reports: HISD

Posted on August 4, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

PREVIOUSLY: Congress, Harris County, Houston Elizabeth Santos – Dist I Kathy Bluefod-Daniels – Dist II Dani Hernandez – Dist III Patricia Allen – Dist IV Sue Deigaard – Dist V Holly Flynn Vilaseca – Dist VI Anne Sung – Dist … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2021 | Tagged Anne Sung, Bridget Wade, campaign finance reports, Dani Hernandez, Election 2017, Election 2021, Elizabeth Santos, Gerry Monroe, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca, Houston, Janette Lindner, Judith Cruz, Kathy Blueford Daniels, Kendall Baker, Myrna Guidry, Patricia Allen, Sue Deigaard | 2 Comments

Will Delta change HISD’s plans?

Posted on July 30, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Remains to be seen. Houston Independent School District Superintendent Millard House II released a video Saturday confirming that the district’s “communicable disease team” is still fully operational as the district works to update its COVID-19 plan for the start of … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged coronavirus, face masks, Greg Abbott, HISD, Houston, Millard House, schools | Comments Off

How HISD intends to spend its COVID relief money

Posted on July 19, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Seems reasonable. Houston ISD expects to spend $1.2 billion of federal relief shoring up academic losses from the pandemic under a wide-ranging plan that would target accelerated instruction to kids that have fallen behind, bolster tutoring and after-school services, seek … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Congress, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Joe Biden, Millard House, stimulus | Comments Off

Superintendent House has arrived

Posted on July 4, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

He’s got a lot of work in front of him. When Millard House II officially [started] as the new superintendent of Houston ISD on Thursday, he [had] a stack of challenges awaiting his attention. Some students fell further behind during … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged coronavirus, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Millard House, schools, STAAR, stimulus | 1 Comment

The pandemic was hard on math

Posted on June 23, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Math scores on the end-of-course algebra exams, in particular. Texas’ first trove of 2021 state standardized test scores offers early confirmation of what many educators feared: students fell dramatically behind in math during the coronavirus pandemic. Results from spring algebra … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged coronavirus, HISD, Mike Morath, quarantine, schools, STAAR, standardized testing, Texas, Texas Education Agency | Comments Off

HISD asks for virtual learning funds do-over

Posted on June 19, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

I can understand this. Thirty school districts, including Houston ISD, and two associations signed a letter to urge Gov. Greg Abbott to add legislation funding virtual learning to any special session for other proposed laws. A bill that would have ensured districts … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged coronavirus, Greg Abbott, HISD, Houston, Internet, quarantine, quorum, schools, special session, Texas, The Lege | Comments Off

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