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Parents press council ahead of HISD update, say special‑education supports were cut
Summary
A parent group urged City Council to question HISD superintendent Mike Miles about reported cuts to autism training and special‑education supports during the district takeover; parents plan to deliver research and questions at the upcoming committee meeting.
Houston parents and advocates urged City Council on Sept. 9 to press Houston Independent School District leaders for clarity about special‑education services and teacher retention amid the district takeover.
Jessie (Jessica) Dugan, a parent of kindergarten twins — one of whom is autistic — asked the council to call Superintendent Mike Miles back before the council’s economic development committee. “At the beginning of the takeover, they eliminated a program called autism services,” Dugan said. She described autism‑related teacher training that the community relied on as cut and said the takeover promised but had not delivered a parent committee or a substantive update on special education.
Context and next steps
Mayor Pro Tem confirmed Superintendent Miles will appear at the next economic development committee meeting (scheduled by the mayor pro tem for the 17th) and asked that community members submit specific questions in advance. Council members acknowledged parent work and said they have received materials; one council member encouraged Dugan to forward specific questions so the council can press for answers during the committee session.
Why it matters: Parents said student and teacher retention rates have become alarming since the takeover and requested transparent answers from the superintendent. Dugan provided the council with materials, including reporting and a summary of concerns she said should be discussed at the committee meeting.
No formal council action occurred Sept. 9; council members invited parents to send written questions and confirmed the superintendent’s scheduled appearance.
