News Summary
The Houston Independent School District is proposing a policy change to allow Superintendent Mike Miles discretion over meetings with employee unions. This revision aims to reduce the frequency of meetings previously mandated to be held four times a year. The Board of Managers is set to discuss this policy shift. While union representatives can still provide input, the changes have raised concerns among union leaders about employee feedback processes and the democratic integrity of HISD’s governance.
Houston ISD Proposes Policy Change to Allow Discretionary Meetings Between Superintendent and Unions
The Houston Independent School District (HISD) is proposing a significant revision to its current policy regarding the frequency of meetings between the state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles and various employee unions. The proposed policy aims to give Superintendent Miles discretion over how often he meets with union representatives, a shift from the previous mandate requiring meetings at least four times a year for feedback. The Board of Managers will consider this policy change during a meeting on Thursday.
This policy change also seeks to eliminate the requirement for Superintendent Miles to be present at these meetings officially representing “the District.” Furthermore, the proposed revision does not designate a specific representative or designee from HISD to attend the meetings on behalf of the administration. Despite this, union representatives are still allowed to provide input during consultations, as public sector unions in Texas are prohibited from striking or organizing work stoppages.
As a substitute for standard meetings, union leaders can continue to advocate for their members’ needs through lesser-known processes, which include initiatives such as a vote of no confidence. However, the suggested changes come as significant portions of the existing consultation policy have been struck through, including definitions made previously for clarity and continuity on discussions throughout the school year. A new provision in the policy states that “the Board and its administrative personnel may consult with employees with respect to matters of educational policy and conditions of employment.”
HISD officials have maintained that various channels for gathering employee input already exist, citing their readiness to participate in feedback processes. Superintendent Miles has pointed out that he benefits from advisory committees made up of teachers and school leaders, alongside a district advisory committee designed to collect insights from the broader community. Additionally, town halls are organized during major initiatives to facilitate community feedback.
Concerns regarding the consultation process are not new. In August 2023, there was a significant alteration to the consultation policy, which previously required monthly meetings. This change prompted a grievance from the Houston Federation of Teachers, which was ultimately dismissed after being presented to the Board of Managers in January. Following this, the Houston Education Association filed a grievance in March, claiming HISD failed to meet the stipulated requirement for conducting at least four meetings annually.
In response to previous grievances, HISD announced that it would be rekindling consultation meetings beginning May 28, with plans to hold three meetings throughout the school year, each lasting one hour. Despite this announcement, union leaders have stated that no consultation meetings had occurred before this declaration came from HISD.
Concerns about the ongoing inconsistencies in HISD’s policy implementation have been echoed by representatives of the Texas Support Personnel Employees Local 1, who noted that such issues were affecting their roles and responsibilities within the school district.
As discussions around these policy adjustments unfold, union leaders express the hope of reinstating a democratically elected board to restore what they regard as lost democratic processes within HISD.
The outcome of the Board of Managers’ considerations on Thursday will significantly influence future interactions between Superintendent Miles and union representatives, shaping how employee feedback is integrated into district governance moving forward.
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Additional Resources
- Click 2 Houston: HISD Superintendent Mike Miles Makes Big Announcement
- Wikipedia: Houston Independent School District
- Houston Chronicle: HISD Proposed Policy Change
- Google Search: Houston Independent School District policy change
- KHOU: HISD Bus Stop Issues
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Education
- Fox 26 Houston: HISD Updates
- Google News: HISD updates 2025
Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER
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