HOUSTON — Another heated Houston Independent School District meeting took place Thursday night.
Dozens of angry parents and students showed up demanding answers after teachers, a librarian, a counselor, and the principal were fired at Eastwood Academy High School and Pugh Elementary.
For the first time publicly HISD Superintendent Mike Miles addressed why certain staff were let go at two of their schools. However, a timeline wasn't shared on when they would fill those spots.
More than 70 people, including some students, signed up to speak. They demanded answers and wanted to know why the staff members were being removed.
"How does it help us to fire a slew of staff with no plan to immediately fill their roles?" Eastwood Academy senior Lane Harper said.
They aren't happy with the changes.
"Look me in the eye and say you are doing the best for your students," student Tony Martinez said.
Even though Miles couldn't go into all the specifics, he shared how the outcome was in direct result of an investigation.
“It's a serious thing to be under investigation and be fired mid-year for an inappropriate relationship with a child,” Miles said. “It's a license-removing event so we have to protect adults and kids.”
Miles wouldn't detail which staff member at Eastwood he was referring to.
The students said they don't understand why HISD made the changes at Eastwood, but it's not only happening there.
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Parents are also concerned after a pre-K teacher at Pugh Elementary was let go.
They said Debbie Jane was let go for too many absences. Parents said she had a good reason to miss work.
"Nadamas por cuidar a un familiar hoy esta su carrera en limbo," Elina Manzano said.
Jane was at Thursday's meeting. She said she was out because she was taking care of her daughter who was recently diagnosed with cancer.
"I am not happy. Nobody likes to be terminated. How would you like to end your career that way?" Jane said.
Jane said the board voted to terminate her contract after she took 12 days off to care for her daughter and four more because she didn't have power.
Now, the teacher of 26 years is out of work.
"I will miss the classroom but I won't miss the policies," Jane said.
HISD didn't announce the names of those who were terminated.