HOUSTON – Parents and students both had the opportunity to address Houston Independent School District Superintendent Mike Miles and the school board for the first time since the staff reorganization at Harvard Elementary school—and they didn’t hold back.
Last week, KPRC 2 reported that several staff members, including the principal, were removed from their positions.
Fast forward to Thursday, the school is now on its third principal this school year.
Shelby Calabrese, the principal at Harvard Elementary in Houston Heights, was put on leave in October. Last week, she was recommended for termination.
Her replacement was announced to be Sharon Pe Benito. However, before Benito even started in the new role, she quit, citing bullying from parents.
RELATED: New principal at Harvard Elementary quits before first day after ‘extensive bullying’
On Thursday evening, it’s those parents and teachers who had their first opportunity to speak their mind to Superintendent Miles and the HISD school board at a regularly scheduled meeting.
“Instability,” said Alma Alling, a parent of a Harvard Elementary student. “Just seems like a revolving door.”
“Just upheaval and unrest and just lots of questions and just lots of uncertainty,” added another Harvard Elementary parent, Christine Gonzalez.
“It’s really disappointing, honestly,” said Jordan Chismar, who also has a child in Harvard Elementary.
Their words carry power and emotion, but just scratch the surface from the 139 speakers who signed up to have their one minute in front of Miles and his school board.
“I wish we could keep the people who understand us and want to make our school better. Please don’t take any more of our people away,” said Lucas, a student at Harvard Elementary.
He is one of many students that is left confused and wondering what happened to their leaders.
In sports terms, this is like having a third head coach in a single season. Both parents and their young children are losing faith in their team.
“I definitely wouldn’t go to Vegas with them,” said Chismar.
“It’s a huge problem. It’s a huge problem. It’s a huge concern,” Gonzalez added.
The school board did convene in a closed session to discuss personnel, according to the agenda for the meeting. However, they did so behind closed doors, in accordance with state law.
“I love Harvard, and I want you guys to work with Harvard to keep Harvard special,” said Rome, a student at Harvard Elementary.
During public comment, Miles and school board members aren’t able to respond to those speaking.
While those parents and children might feel like their words are falling on deaf ears, parents of HISD students want district leaders to know their actions are heard loud and clear.
“It’s paper thin. Nobody’s falling for it,” said Gonzalez. “We’re sick of it. It’s lazy, crappy leadership, and we want him out.”
