HISD meets to vote on new budget

HOUSTON The district budgets $22 million a year to send 1,600 students to two privately-run alternative schools. The district says it will try to keep principals from sending students there for discretionary reasons like excessive absences, and focus on mandatory offenses like drug possession and assaults.

"We're gonna be doing some training for our principals on what the law calls for. The difference between mandatory and discretionary, what they can really handle at the school through in school suspension or Saturday school," said HISD Spokesperson Norm Uhl.

The district told us the changes will save about $4.5 million a year.