HOUSTON – Several Houston Independent School District teachers, parents, and representatives from the American Federation of Teachers held a rally Wednesday afternoon in downtown Houston to express their continued frustrations since the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has taken over the district.
The rally was held at Discovery Green Park and there appeared to be dozens in attendance.
Protestors said that they wanted to make their voices heard as they stand against the new proposed HISD bond, which they say will be the largest school bond in Texas history. Additionally, local and national AFT members, HISD parents and students, as well as Houston community members demanded an end to the state occupation of HISD and to state takeovers nationwide.
Event organizers were chanting alongside the crowd, ‘NO TRUST. NO BOND!’
A mother with a child within the district also made her disposition known.
“We have tons of vacancies and school starts in two and a half weeks. This is all due to the hostile climate being fostered by this administration. Which up-ends the stability and collective experience of campus communities. They are doing this on purpose,” said parent Camilie Brio. “One way parents can protect their children is by protecting certified teachers. I am furious that my child, who requires accommodations, will be taught by non-certified teachers. And when I bring this up to HISD, they think nothing of it.”
Following Brio, attendees were able to hear from a student who is currently a senior at Worthing High School.
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“Long story short, Mike Miles is lying,” Remie Smith said. “Watching the NES system drastically changing my school has made me see the importance of public education and learning as a whole. The NES system has violated students’ public rights. A simple task (such as) going to the bathroom has turned into nine passes a year, not being able to go to the bathroom for specific reasons, things like that.”
She went on to say that, “Teachers are being bullied into submission, bullied out of their careers” adding, ”the new curriculum is horrible. I’m stressed out. I’m tired. Everything is gloomy, and the atmosphere is just anxiety and stress.”
The student also spoke about how the NES plan is “targeting” elementary school children, saying that if anyone would ask the little kids about their stress within the school system, they would respond poorly.
In attendance was Randi Weingarten, president of AFT; Jackie Anderson, president of Houston Federation of Teachers (HFT); Liz Silva, HISD parent; Remie Smith, HISD student; Mayra Ramirez, HISD parent (remarks will be given in Spanish); Maribeth K. Calabro, president of the Providence Teachers Union; Patricia Doyle, Dallas ISD teacher who worked under Miles during his tenure as Dallas superintendent.