HOUSTON — On Saturday, Houston ISD hosted a virtual community meeting to discuss the district's plan for a potential $4.4 billion bond proposal and to get feedback on it.
The district said the bond would put $1.35 billion towards creating safe and healthy campuses, $1 billion towards making schools "future ready" and $2.05 towards restoring HISD schools.
"There are roughly 40 schools who have pretty urgent needs. Especially our elementary and middle schools, who have not had structure investments since 2007," said one committee member during the meeting.
Advisory representatives said mechanical, electrical and plumbing encompass the largest problem areas and years of not investing in those areas haven't helped.
Recent storms in the Houston area have made the problems and threats more real.
"When I first read it I was so shocked to see how many 273 schools don't have proper air conditioning and that there are water issues at all schools, schools don't have fences and single point of entry. These are just basic needs for students," said another committee member.
In comparison to other districts in the surrounding area, and with HISD, the largest school district in the state, other districts by far invest a lot more.
If the bond proposal passes, advisors hope the district prioritizes work across campuses based on facility conditions.
The committee is co-chaired by former HISD trustee and Board President Judith Cruz, former state Rep. Garnet Coleman, and former H-E-B President Scott McClelland. For more information on the committee, click here.
The meeting comes amidst mounting calls for a federal investigation into HISD Superintendent Mike Miles over his financial dealings while heading up a charter school system in Colorado.
A Spectrum News Texas report highlighted a pair of million-dollar-plus checks allegedly sent from Third Future Schools in Texas to its campuses in Colorado. The report accused Miles of sending Texas tax dollars out of state while he led the charter system.
Miles has refuted these claims.