Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) released the following statement after the Texas Education Agency (TEA) sent a notice to Houston Independent School District (HISD) that it intends to replace Houston ISD's superintendent and elected trustees with an appointed superintendent and board of managers in the next few months.

“I am deeply disappointed by what we have seen from the TEA—both in its process and in its decision.  Educating our children is vital for their futures, and for the future of our city, our state, and our country.  With past and present challenges in mind, Houstonians—as teachers, staff, students, parents, and voters—have worked to improve HISD for all students and have addressed the specific ratings issues at Wheatley High School.  Indeed, the Commissioner’s letter acknowledges the gains the district has made and the student-focused commitment of its recently appointed superintendent, who is widely respected in the community.

“It is anti-democratic for an appointed commissioner to take over an elected school board, and it is an affront to Houston voters.  To do so based on a set of facts that has entirely changed raises several issues that must be addressed to protect our children, our communities, and our schools.  The seventh-largest school district in the United States, HISD serves more than 190,000 students at 276 campuses—37 of them in Texas’ Seventh Congressional District.  I will work with my colleagues and community leaders to protect our students and our schools and to put Houstonians back in charge of HISD.”