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Harris County schools say Michael’s Promise licensing delays leave two Title I teachers idle
Summary
District staff told the board that Michael’s Promise — a partner that contracted with Harris County Schools to serve off‑site students — has postponed enrollment, leaving two teachers hired for the program without students and raising Title I funding and staffing questions.
Miss Baker, a district staff member overseeing the Michael’s Promise agreement, told the Harris County Board of Education on Nov. 6 that the nonprofit’s planned student enrollment has been delayed by state licensing and staff‑credentialing requirements, shifting an anticipated October start toward December.
“Micah’s Promise initially told us that their students would be there in October. Now we’re looking more like maybe December,” Miss Baker said, describing holdups in certifications and approvals the partner must complete before operating on site. She and other staff said the district has already recruited and hired two teachers to deliver services under the memorandum of agreement.
Baker and other staff emphasized the funding constraints tied to those hires. The two teachers were to be paid with Title I funds and, as Baker explained to the board, Title I employees must be serving Title I students while on payroll: “If they’re going to be paid through Title I, then they’re going to have to serve Title I students.”
Board members pressed staff about options. Several asked whether the teachers could be reassigned temporarily to serve Title I students at existing schools until Michael’s Promise begins operation. Staff said they would discuss that possibility with the teachers; one of the hires already has been subbing in the district. The district also said it is pushing Michael’s Promise for firm start dates and tracking licensing progress daily.
Board members raised the question of financial responsibility: whether the district could seek reimbursement from Michael’s Promise for costs incurred while teachers are on standby. Staff said the district is not currently paying those teachers but is concerned about retaining candidate interest if the delay stretches into December or beyond.
The board directed Miss Baker to contact the two teachers to gauge willingness to be reassigned temporarily and to report back at the next meeting. No formal board vote was taken; the matter remains an operational and personnel issue for staff to manage.
Clarifying details: the district said the two positions are part‑time (reported in discussion as 49% positions) and are currently at‑will employees; Title I funding rules require that Title I‑funded staff serve Title I students. The timing for Michael’s Promise licensing was described as dependent on state agencies and staff training; staff characterized the process as “cumbersome.”
Context: The item was raised under the district’s discussion agenda item covering special programs and partnership implementation. The board’s next meeting will revisit staffing assignments if teachers are unwilling or unavailable to be reassigned prior to Michael’s Promise enrollment.
