HOUSTON — It's been over a year since the state took over the Houston Independent School District to improve failing schools, but lawmakers said they continue to receive complaints from parents who feel like they have no say in their children's education.
Texas State representatives convened Tuesday for an Ad Hoc House Committee Hearing on the HISD takeover at the Hilton University of Houston. State Rep. Christina Morales (District 145) called for the hearing.
The hearing allowed community members to engage directly with state legislators and discuss issues within the district ahead of the next legislative session.
"Our community is sick and tired of their concerns falling on deaf ears, every time they go to a school board meeting, they are tired of being ignored," Morales said.
Morales said the "unelected" board of managers and state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles are "undermining transparency and accountability."
"We must defend our public schools. Our children are the future of Texas. They are our greatest resource," Morales said.
State Rep. Gene Wu (District 137) said lawmakers and parents have had problems with the HISD takeover since day one and "nobody cares."
"Nobody from the governor's office to the Senate, to the House, gives a damn that our school system in Houston is collapsing because of what they've done," he said.
In June, KHOU 11’s Len Cannon sat down with Miles to talk about encouraging STAAR test scores, how long the takeover could last and who he answers to.