Quick, how would you fix HISD?
HISD announced Friday afternoon that they are seeking public input on the "strategic direction for the district's future."
No doubt an important topic. It's part of a six-month strategic planning process that the district plans to conclude in August. The problem? The public only has until Monday to make its answers heard. And, um, you'll have to show up between 6-7:30 p.m. at the board auditorium at 4440 West 18th to share your opinions. Don't forget to RSVP athoustonisd.org.
Ironically, Superintendent Terry Grier says in the press release about the event: "True transformation cannot happen overnight."
Ironically, Superintendent Terry Grier says in the press release about the event: "True transformation cannot happen overnight."
Not overnight, but over a weekend. And then in 90-minutes.
To be fair, HISD leaders said they've held other public meetings on the topic and are planning two interactive live TV shows in June to gather more input -- one at 7 p.m. June 8 in the Hattie Mae White Auditorium and another at 5 p.m. on June 29th at the Univision studios.
What do you think? Does this seem like a sincere invitation for public input?
May 21, 2010
Leave Your Child at the Park Day?
Not sure if you've caught wind of this, but May 22 has been dubbed "National Take Our Children to the Park & Leave Them There Day" by the so-called Free-Range Kidsmovement, started by New York mother and columnist Lenore Skenazy.
Skenazy, garnered national attention for letting her 9-year-old son take the subway home alone, advocates a return to the good-old days, when children were let out of their parents sight, at least on occasion. She writes: "We just do NOT believe that every time school age kids go outside, they need a security detail."
So she's asking that tomorrow parents of children over the age of 7 to take them to a public park and leave them there alone for a bit. She's been called "crazy" and a "moron" for making this suggestion. What do you think?
May 20, 2010
HISD plans to cut enrollment at costly alternative school
HISD Supt. Terry Grier, reversing course, told the school board this morning that he plans to recommend continuing the contract with Community Education Partners to serve children with discipline problems.
To cut costs, which Grier said was his major concern with CEP, the district will reduce the number of students it pays the private company to serve. Instead of paying CEP a flat $18.3 million for 1,600 students, the district will pay for 1,200 students next school year. That will cut costs by as much as $4.6 million, according to HISD's report. The district will set aside $1 million in case it exceeds the 1,200-student cap, however, so the cost savings might not be as great.
The district will reduce the number of students it pays to serve by another 200 over tw