A bipartisan commission formed in Houston is recommending new limits on the power of state‑appointed officials who assume control of struggling school districts. The group, co‑chaired by State Sen. Molly Cook and Rep. Lauren Ashley Simmons, released a report Thursday after hearing testimony from Houston Independent School District (HISD) teachers, students and parents.
Key recommendations
The commission proposes several changes:
- Raise the trigger for a takeover to at least 10% of a district’s campuses receiving failing ratings, rather than the current standard of five consecutive “F” ratings at a single campus.
- Require a takeover to end only after the affected campuses earn acceptable grades for two consecutive years.
- Allow local voters to decide, via referendum, when a state‑appointed board’s authority should conclude.
- Establish clear guardrails for the state‑appointed board of managers and superintendent, including a partnership requirement with locally elected trustees.
Rep. Christina Morales, a Houston Democrat, warned that “our elected trustees have been removed and replaced with people we do not know and we do not trust,” emphasizing the need for accountability.
Context of the HISD takeover
HISD is currently undergoing the largest school takeover in Texas history. The commission’s report describes a breakdown in community relationships, a hostile environment for teachers, and concerns about financial stewardship during the intervention. The district has recently faced enrollment declines, prompting cuts to reserves and staff reshuffling.
Superintendent Mike Miles, who led the turnaround, pointed to balanced budgets over the past two years and argued that fiscal responsibility—such as adjusting purchased services and personnel—allows the district to maintain teacher pay while addressing enrollment challenges.
Republican perspectives
State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R‑Houston, praised Miles’ progress, calling it a “success by any measurement.” In a separate statement, Republican leaders on the Senate education committee congratulated Miles for reducing failing campuses from 56 to five over three years.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa, who runs on ending state takeovers, has pledged to fire Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath on her first day in office. The commission’s recommendations align with her platform, though the report itself does not endorse any candidate.
Next steps
Sen. Cook plans to introduce legislation in the 2027 session that would codify the commission’s proposals. Fort Worth Rep. Nicole Collier, also a commission member, intends to sponsor a bill creating a “continuity board” to ensure elected trustees remain involved throughout any intervention.
The proposals aim to balance state oversight with local control, giving communities a stronger voice while preserving the ability to intervene when schools face genuine academic distress.
Original reporting: Texas Tribune (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
