Public commenters urge more community input on Marshall pilot; teacher presses for IT certification program
Summary
Two public speakers asked the Humble ISD board for action: Michelle Williams urged more parent and teacher engagement about a pilot 'Marshall' program and raised concerns that teachers fear retaliation; Scott Ford asked the district to accept or consider his free IT certification curriculum and described procedural obstacles and a pending records request.
During the public‑comment portion of the meeting, Michelle Williams, an educator and candidate for state representative in District 127, told trustees she is concerned that the district piloted the Marshall program without sufficient input from students, staff and parents. Williams said parent partnership is essential and urged the board to "revisit the decision making process for the Marshall program and to take steps to build trust rebuild trust with the community." She also relayed that some teachers have said they fear retaliation if they speak openly at board meetings.
Scott Ford, who identified himself as an author and educator, spoke about career and technical education in the district. Ford said he has previously worked to certify students in IT certifications and that he submitted a public records request about the district’s current certifications. He told the board he offered a turnkey curriculum for free and complained the district purchased curriculum they are not using; he said the district has lost testing‑center capability and dual‑credit pathways he had helped secure. At one point Ford asked the administrators in the room, "Do you hate me more than you care about these kids?" — a rhetorical question he used to underline his concern that personal conflicts should not impede programs that benefit students.
Board members did not take public comment action on those items during the meeting; staff and trustees later thanked public speakers and moved to the next agenda items. The concerns raised by Williams and Ford were recorded on the public‑comment record and will remain available to the board and administration for follow up.
