[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6381275,"mediaKeyId","2128617-f68c46dd4e64efac80b9fba7700e2f62","parentId",2128617,"title","Community lashes out over $870 million in unapproved purchases; board ratifies cooperative awards after internal review","audioSeconds",17883,"startMs",977000,"endMs",18860000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2128617-f68c46dd4e64efac80b9fba7700e2f62&start=977&end=18860","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2128617-f68c46dd4e64efac80b9fba7700e2f62/thumbnail_977000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6381275/Texas/Community-lashes-out-over-870-million-in-unapproved-purchases-board-ratifies-cooperative-awards-after-internal-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6381275-c7cb11aa324db938b92b61d3fd6d78c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437721&Signature=PTujRHTF-ZwfvvK0K8ae4kosP5H3ViJJEyOvrU66UL~4jJFM5Htsm-gL5Ow3GYXYDb9-tIL5NPiQoYlGNgymiXSp9BoTTFauyF1QAMS6~sxu0D1DZEVJO5lPtoW8mXOdfmfcYkEhNUfEsQusiEvtoiBnNzUxG53umh2bwqDrcKMXnjTGvnsa~5hTAjZYa7OGsxWslz4yE-xSeaSLej1kUBGihlPAp~9U~7d5s-LiUU4PGZGEdXR88-ha6WzN0~kD2hYC4kyyqDVPYKntKOrTLYU85mO4y2ePAB06-7jDaQsQCGfwY8olnu9sPDYS8LmBSmdJz5Y6ds2gyK6Et61vsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Houston ISD","date","2025-01-19T00:58:48.24Z","article","Hundreds of community members lined up at the Houston Independent School District (HISD) board meeting on Jan. 16 to demand accountability after the district disclosed that roughly $870,000,000 in purchasing occurred over a 16‑month period without prior board approval.

Speakers at the meeting — including students, teachers and parents — repeatedly called for an independent investigation and for the board to hold Superintendent Mike Miles accountable. Student speaker Alyanna Gottlieb told the board the spending “$870,000,000 over a 16 month period without the appointed board’s approval” damaged trust. Multiple speakers said the purchases should not be accepted as a clerical mistake and urged firings and firmer board oversight.

The board moved to ratify agenda item 9 — “Ratification of cooperative vendor awards from August 11, 2023 to present” — after recessing to closed session. The motion to ratify was made and seconded at the meeting; the board later announced the item was approved with a recorded outcome of 7 yes, 1 no and 1 abstention. The board’s audit committee reported it had directed the district’s internal audit function (an external firm, RSM) to examine contracts and purchases over $1,000,000; the committee said RSM’s memo concluded the reviewed procurements “followed the appropriate processes.” The audit‑committee report and the RSM memo will be posted to the district’s audit area on the HISD website, the board said.

Board members and administration also announced additional steps: the audit committee will oversee a full procurement audit to begin immediately and will conduct quarterly follow‑up audits. The administration said it will develop additional legal review steps and process improvements for procurement as part of those corrective actions.

Public commenters repeatedly raised concerns about internal controls and the tone set by district leadership. Multiple speakers described the lapse as a potential “material weakness” in cash disbursements, cited the district’s clean audit opinion issued by Weaver and Tidwell in November, and asked when auditors were informed and whether the auditors’ opinion should have reflected the problem earlier. Several speakers asked that the board require a public independent audit rather than internal review.

Administration and the audit committee said the internal review by RSM covered purchases above the million‑dollar threshold and that RSM found processes followed. The board said it will publish RSM’s memo online and pursue a broader audit of procurement practices and quarterly follow‑ups managed by the audit committee. The board did not at the meeting vote to terminate or suspend the superintendent; that action was not recorded as a board vote during the open meeting.

The meeting record shows heavy public turnout: the board said it had 79 registered public speakers for the evening. Many of those who addressed the board focused their remarks on the unapproved purchases and the need for transparency, independent auditing, and immediate changes to purchasing controls.

What the board approved: ratification of cooperative vendor awards covering purchases from Aug. 11, 2023 through the present, with the caveat that the audit committee would oversee further procurement review and that an RSM memo documenting the review would be posted to the district’s audit reports page. The board also directed additional internal controls and legal review steps be implemented by administration.

Next steps the board announced at the meeting included publishing the RSM memo, beginning a full procurement audit under audit committee oversight, and scheduling quarterly follow‑up audits to track corrective actions.

Votes at a glance: ratification of cooperative vendor awards — approved (tally reported 7 yes, 1 no, 1 abstention). The board reported the internal review results from RSM and directed a broader procurement audit and quarterly follow‑up reviews.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","HISD Board Meeting January 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Hundreds of community members demanded accountability after HISD disclosed about $870 million in purchases made without prior board approval; the board ratified cooperative vendor awards and ordered additional procurement audits.","taxTitle","HOUSTON ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",14108,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6381254,"Board approves personnel moves, declares facilities surplus and elects officer slate",739,19021000,19760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2128617-f68c46dd4e64efac80b9fba7700e2f62&start=19021&end=19760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2128617-f68c46dd4e64efac80b9fba7700e2f62/thumbnail_19021000.jpg","/articles/6381254/Texas/Board-approves-personnel-moves-declares-facilities-surplus-and-elects-officer-slate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6381254-9121ab850ff334ce0a95e42edb82ff8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437721&Signature=NFAfdplEpqLAZi-9bHIoQEZayxZhGqtv~~~pRHf34t5FmdoYkgIrqik~KvaqWmzzL2LsNQgP5NKzcj-R-SBgluDJH0-TQbEI-iXm-u4jx-GYEgnQGaBZlSr5vqcgrZIcYCOt84pC~GRmnvG2LiIj4JsfIbElu7hahuQDwvbhHeHJdO4W9G94pzmbLRA7HFMQU-x0SbxUkc3dARodYoESOC4y9jqHapErXU2tPsGIBfxckh5dBWl~ozMAqcoC9sXRvRirgsV~zK2ZHOLs1CayARF0y-VdcIvEE4SKTZp647Y8MFvw4S5oDYhbr7Y1m7eFShv8beq48uBMPcYAgg2lRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Houston ISD board took a series of administrative votes on Jan. 16 following closed‑session deliberations.

Personnel actions: The board approved a motion to terminate the probationary contract for a teacher listed as “teacher 4 A generalist” (employee ID 224380) on the personnel agenda. The motion (moved by Mr. Martinez, seconded by Ms. Lindner) passed with 8 yes votes and 1 abstention. The board also approved a broader closed‑session personnel agenda — including terminations, non‑renewals, suspensions without pay and other contract actions discussed in closed session — and authorized the superintendent or designee to provide required notices. That broader personnel motion (moved by Mr. Martinez, seconded by Mr. Campo) passed 9–0.

Surplus properties: The board declared a list of district facilities and acreage as surplus and authorized sale procedures. The motion to declare the Brookline, Chatham, East Area office, Fairchild, Fawnwood, Grimes, Harper, Haviland Acreage, Kirby and Orem acreage, North Forest Acreage, North Forest Mississippi, Rhodes, Ryan, South Area Office, South Bank Acreage, Terrell, and Tidwell acreage as surplus passed unanimously (9–0).

Election of officers: The board elected a slate of officers by slate motion. The motion proposed Rick Campo as president, Audrey Lamanae as vice president and Angie Flowers as secretary. That slate motion was made by Ms. Mendoza and seconded by Ms. Lindner; the motion passed with 8 yes votes and 1 abstention.

The board did not detail individual personnel case facts in open session; the motions reflect actions authorized in closed session and the board authorized the superintendent or designee to provide required notices following the votes. The board noted the personnel and property actions were effective as indicated on the personnel agenda and as discussed in closed session.

Votes at a glance: probationary teacher termination (employee ID 224380) — approved (8 yes, 1 abstention); broader closed‑session personnel authorizations — approved (9–0); surplus property declarations — approved (9–0); officer slate (Rick Campo president; Audrey Lamanae vice president; Angie Flowers secretary) — approved (8 yes, 1 abstention).

The meeting adjourned at about 10:31 PM.","The HISD board approved personnel actions including a probationary teacher termination, declared multiple properties surplus, and elected a new slate of board officers; votes included several unanimous approvals and a few abstentions.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6381259,"HISD reports gains in college‑credit access; board accepts Goal 3.3 monitoring update",1342,7050000,8392000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2128617-f68c46dd4e64efac80b9fba7700e2f62&start=7050&end=8392","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2128617-f68c46dd4e64efac80b9fba7700e2f62/thumbnail_7050000.jpg","/articles/6381259/Texas/HISD-reports-gains-in-collegecredit-access-board-accepts-Goal-33-monitoring-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6381259-65c77c50ae0d311b3c776002c8c94c8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437721&Signature=ZGK~GSpv1f8BAistBN0xZJf4563isGmhTvNjxEOVHpfKoHN8tFa9QeAvuhoPlDq9E5ahUEgSkdCwGXTEFLXvfnLoMrMiiWWtfAzGHgDXAewIN7GN7Sn8fzI79~hQgkr-Kl7tdBigIA~xvswE2wYZYOkqo6pFdSrtMckXh-~Cc4riQ6ErCOKXt7nNxBb~K9eB4yrcn8HfYZc1xq~CRfRiLZN7axZArpITlxPb2VBzWK0E~lnp3Q5P276nfF7gX5CiyrPQ3WaDEk3IjojhO~cPoKxIPixNIwdSERNZZgaZJOx5k4prtGad-FCDKviyOJIyCMSPN8tQcBgBlaI3UI9gfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HISD officials presented the board with a monitoring update on Goal 3.3 — the percentage of 11th graders who qualify for college credit — and the board accepted the report unanimously at its Jan. 16 meeting.

Chief Kristen Hall told trustees the district’s long‑term target for Goal 3 is to raise the percent of students graduating TSI‑ready with industry‑based certifications and college credits. Goal 3.3 specifically targets the percent of 11th graders who qualify for college credit, with a district target rising from roughly 33% in May to 48% by May 2028.

Administration reported that beginning‑of‑year (BOI) measures have increased year over year (BOI for the previous three years rose from 19% to 23% to 26%) and said end‑of‑year (EOI) results have been stronger — the district reported an end‑of‑year result of 38% last year, exceeding that year’s target. The presentation broke college‑credit attainment down by modality: Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), dual‑enrollment (UT OnRamps) and dual credit through Houston Community College (HCC). Officials said AP, dual enrollment and dual credit BOI figures were rising and that IB results are measured in 11th grade when tests are taken.

The administration highlighted a College Board analysis that showed a 15% increase in unique students taking AP courses, a 24% increase in AP exams administered and a 5% increase in AP pass rates — a trend the district said represents an estimated $15,600,000 in avoided college tuition for students.

To support the work, the district described scheduling and enrollment changes designed to increase access to advanced coursework, including an “opt‑out” scheduling approach that defaults students into advanced courses when their readiness data indicate they are prepared, with parent and counselor overrides for students who opt out. The district also emphasized efforts to get more students to the readiness threshold through double‑block interventions in math and reading in earlier grades and by standardizing course sequences to ensure consistent offerings across campuses.

After the presentation, the board voted to accept the monitoring report. Motion to accept was made by Ms. Lindner and seconded by Ms. Vandy; the acceptance vote was 9–0.

What the board accepted: the Goal 3.3 monitoring update documenting year‑over‑year growth in beginning‑of‑year measures for college credit and the district’s strategies for expanding access (opt‑out scheduling, double‑block for targeted students, and curriculum and instructor supports). Administration said it will continue to monitor subgroup performance and target supports where BOI declines have been observed, such as among some subgroups where temporary BOI decreases preceded expected end‑of‑year gains.","The district reported increases in 11th‑grade college‑credit attainment and said AP participation and scores rose sharply; the board accepted the monitoring update on Goal 3.3 by unanimous vote.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6381264,"Board community engagement committee presents outreach summary; committee to expand meetings and follow up surveys",3139,3224000,6363000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2128617-f68c46dd4e64efac80b9fba7700e2f62&start=3224&end=6363","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2128617-f68c46dd4e64efac80b9fba7700e2f62/thumbnail_3224000.jpg","/articles/6381264/Texas/Board-community-engagement-committee-presents-outreach-summary-committee-to-expand-meetings-and-follow-up-surveys","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6381264-15f9d9cf5bd8296655f0c870b31bfe26/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437721&Signature=i1vurF1sOOksP2LKjAZCLPp5N-rPvSnLXD0lKaP8ubhSVF9VZGTXniSCaY2MDL4FFlYTJlJrT1GcYSu2N-UwghCyApybnLpwYhauwXAKmLBazKm8hMU~eYqCqErGbqB~kAUzD3nZD9f2PXugCOhy~GQUakn3u8ryX54W0MkujMPVwghhxZEfST168LR9vhliokFa3naNO-pjIwB4KKtd5fzyy891BHw7GYyJar3yZvqHEoRr3k-qkjQOoe4va~Atddji7tKOFYpAOmST8t0VvhPyNdnCvaKpALXZxTR0Vdbz2Hq0enrz-KfAhwWB9npY0GDkQ6rE5pdzB~3Ryb1acQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Houston ISD board’s Community Engagement Committee presented a semester report at the Jan. 16 board meeting outlining outreach activity, engagement numbers and next steps.

Committee members said they completed 20 engagement events since appointment, engaged 24 organizations, hosted 12 student and family connection sessions and conducted 8 progress‑monitoring and feedback sessions. The committee reported contacting roughly 120 adults and 700 students during the series of outreach events. Committee co‑chairs said the work included visits to school kickoff events, strategic meetings with community organizations and holiday breakfast visits at several campuses.

Key themes identified in the outreach: community members appreciated expanded access to AP/IB and magnet programs but asked for more consistent communication and equitable counselor staffing across campuses. Families also sought clearer information about program changes, more support for student mental health, and expanded access to pre‑K seats in underserved neighborhoods. Committee members said that small, targeted group meetings yielded the most candid two‑way dialogue and that administrators Becca and Ashan helped provide answers to operational questions during sessions.

Planned next steps include repeating the high‑school senior engagement session in the spring, scheduling follow‑up meetings with organizations that requested sessions late in the fall, and improving survey response rates. Committee members asked the board to help publicize the engagements and encouraged board members to report community outreach activities so staff can maintain a single repository of meetings.

The committee asked administration to develop a process for distributing anonymous post‑engagement surveys to gather candid feedback and to make impact reports more accessible to board members and the public. Committee co‑chairs said they will continue weekly planning and will monitor outcomes reported in future sessions.

No formal board vote was required; the session was a committee report and included several board questions and discussion about improving response rates and communication strategies.

What the committee reported: 20 engagements with 24 organizations, about 120 adults and 700 students engaged, 12 student/family connections and 8 progress monitoring sessions. Next steps: repeat spring engagement sessions, expand outreach to organizations that requested meetings, and improve follow‑up surveys and public access to impact reports.","The board’s community engagement committee reported it conducted 20 engagements, reached roughly 120 adults and 700 students, and plans additional spring sessions and improved follow‑up surveys to capture anonymous, candid feedback.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":104,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":107,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6381269,"HISD board approves policy revisions to clarify when program changes trigger board oversight",2393,5617000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2128617-f68c46dd4e64efac80b9fba7700e2f62&start=3224&end=5617","/articles/6381269/Texas/HISD-board-approves-policy-revisions-to-clarify-when-program-changes-trigger-board-oversight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6381269-c5e87a9c98ad5da52aef590317068c86/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437721&Signature=lo0Qbc~uBWsxGtXv8CTOLy-Epm7ZhctcqCzvRot2R~Y32U-P41MO2KiBITSgwfJYKEWZFjI-UT2s8OdBZUJW-eW-1VGcFDAKCZF0VDS-f7feVNgr9q3RnovDSWqQ4IeXrpWznDvISQWlTnW7UhbwxvMI-L9AAOfeV62gwYAgsq63gtLWbq5MlhPoU6ghqt49rLPuqL1smzh~V4NAbhDp1Tlj0bjl4ppKywFKfrnf8S-ndyeDPCqRLOzH9vmFSI9eZu-bwVCr4VKNL9Y2NmJPRIJ4iHmfigPwM9I2XB8xVKZYPeBHawdavK3BJz-WfzkWW5UhEUbHIrIBZG3yyXyIYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Houston ISD board voted unanimously on Jan. 16 to adopt revisions to two board policies intended to clarify when changes to school programs and magnet offerings must be reported to the board. The policies — AE Local (educational philosophy) and EHBJ Local (special programs, innovative and magnet programs) — were the product of a board committee’s work to clarify “constraint 3,” the board’s requirement that the administration notify the board prior to making significant program changes.

Committee members and administrators told the board they had tested thresholds and settled on numeric triggers for what qualifies as a significant change; during the meeting they referenced example thresholds (committee discussion mentioned “30%” and “10%” as part of the testing process) and said those numeric criteria were chosen after trialing potential impacts, with a commitment to revisit if they proved burdensome.

The revised language adds specific examples of what constitutes a significant change — including changes to enrollment levels, program components and configurations that materially affect a campus’s program identity — and clarifies the information the administration must provide when reporting changes: results of stakeholder engagement, anticipated impacts on programming or school options, alignment to board outcome goals, effects on enrollment and budget, and relevant research and policy analyses. The administration and the committee emphasized that the administration will lead the operational timing for implementation; for example, many changes are scheduled to align with the next academic year and with school‑choice and scheduling cycles so families can make informed decisions.

The board also asked for impact reports from administration when changes are proposed; those impact reports — according to committee members — will include stakeholder engagement summaries, enrollment and budget impact estimates and any relevant research. The board did not adopt a single, fixed calendar deadline in policy; committee members said they left decisions about precise timing to administration so meetings and notice could align with operational requirements, though they noted the board could revisit the approach if it becomes burdensome.

Votes: Proposed revisions to AE Local (agenda item 6) — motion moved by Mr. Campo, seconded by Mr. Martinez — passed 9–0. Proposed revisions to EHBJ Local (agenda item 8) — motion moved by Ms. Cruz Arnold, seconded by Ms. Mendoza — passed 9–0.

Board members asked the administration to make impact reports available to the board and encouraged improved public accessibility for documentation supporting program changes. The policies’ clarified language aims to reduce confusion about when the board must be notified and what evidence the board expects to review.

The changes were presented as part of the committee’s effort to ensure consistent interpretation and application of constraint 3; committee materials and the revised policy language were circulated to board members ahead of the vote, and administrators said impact reports will be produced and provided when proposed changes meet the new thresholds.

The new policy language also distinguishes “major” versus “minor” modifications to magnet and special programs and requires that proposed major modifications include a clear description of community engagement and the program integrity impacts.

What the board approved: updated AE Local and EHBJ Local language clarifying numeric thresholds and required impact reporting when program changes meet the “significant change” standard. The board left operational timing decisions to administration but required impact reports and stakeholder engagement documentation be prepared and available to board members.","The board approved revisions to AE (educational philosophy) and EHBJ (magnet and special programs) local policies to define what constitutes a ‘significant change’ to school programming and to clarify reporting expectations under the board’s constraint 3.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Community lashes out over $870 million in unapproved purchases; board ratifies cooperative awards after internal review

Board approves personnel moves, declares facilities surplus and elects officer slate

HISD reports gains in college‑credit access; board accepts Goal 3.3 monitoring update

Board community engagement committee presents outreach summary; committee to expand meetings and follow up surveys

HISD board approves policy revisions to clarify when program changes trigger board oversight