HISD board votes to waive superintendent's certificate requirement during budget meeting

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- HISD's board has voted to apply to waive Mike Miles' superintendent certification requirement with the commissioner of education.

Thursday's HISD budget workshop was marked by protestors. ABC13's cameras were there as at least one person was handcuffed, and multiple other people were asked to leave the meeting.

Those in attendance were upset because many were asked to sit in an overflow seating room during the public meeting.

HISD officials said they had to move chairs out of the room to make space for video screens, but several protestors said the move was a tactic to keep them out of the meeting.

Mike Miles, the new Houston ISD superintendent, announced that additional information sessions would be taking place starting later this month to answer questions about the recent Texas Education Agency takeover. On Thursday, board members met to discuss the district's budget.

Thursday's budget meeting started at 5:30 p.m. This is the second time board members are meeting.

Board members are discussing the district's budget, as well as possible changes to magnet programs at schools designated as part of the New Education System.

Miles has named 28 schools to the system, including Wheatley, Kashmere, and North Forest high schools, and their feeder middle and elementary schools.

Of those, 12 campuses have magnet or innovative programs.

"Those programs will continue," Miles said. "There may be some adjustments, but parents can rest assure. If a guitar or piano is provided, we'll be doing guitar or piano. We'll accommodate programs. There just may be some shifts in schedule."

Each magnet program at those schools will be evaluated individually.

The agenda items discussed Thursday night, including the proposed budget, will be voted on at the next board meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 22. The board president would not say whether the room would be reconfigured to accommodate more members of the public.

Miles is also set to host eight events in June and July to meet with families across the district.

The schedule for the sessions can be seen below:

• Week 1: Tuesday, June 27, and Thursday, June 29

• Week 2: Tuesday, July 11, and Thursday, July 13

• Week 3: Tuesday, July 18, and Thursday, July 20

• Week 4: Thursday, July 27, and Saturday, July 29

HISD said the events would be held at school suites across the district, but times and specific locations will be announced next Tuesday.

Families will have the opportunity to register for the event they choose and submit questions to the superintendent before the meeting.

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