PETITION TO THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
OF THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
PETITON FOR A HOME-RULE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Submittal in Accordance with
§ 12.014 (2) of the Texas Education Code (“TEC”)
June 12, 2025
TO THE BOARD OF MANAGERS,
We respectfully submit this petition to initiate a resolution to grant an open-enrollment home-rule school district, as further described below, within the Houston Independent School District (“HISD”).
I
LEGAL AUTHORITY
This Petition is submitted to the Board of Managers in accordance with TEC Title 2 (PUBLIC EDUCATION), Subtitle C (LOCAL ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNANCE), Chapter 12: (CHARTERS).
Pursuant to TEC § 12.014 (2), the Board of Managers may at any time adopt a resolution ordering that a charter commission be appointed “to frame a home rule school district charter.” Such resolution requires affirmation by at least two-thirds of the total membership of such Board.
II
LEGAL DESCRIPTION
The boundary of the proposed home-rule school district would encompass the “WESTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ZONE” (the “Westside Panhandle”) attached hereto as Exhibit A. The boundaries (including subject schools) are identical to those defined by HISD and found at www.houstonisd.org/cms/lib2/TX01001591/Centricity/Domain/32468/boundarymaps/Westside_HS.pdf (last checked 10 June 2025).
III
SUMMARY OF THE PROCESS FOR
THE FORMATION OF THE HOME-RULE SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Board of Managers will know the will of the residents of the Westside Panhandle because a home-rule school district charter must first be submitted to a vote of registered voter residents:
Pursuant to TEC §12.015, the Board of Managers appoints members of the charter commission.
Once completed and confirmed for compliance with applicable law, the home-rule school district charter is presented to the voters of the home-rule school district (pursuant to TEC §12.019). Pursuant to TEC §12.022, a minimum voter turnout is regulatory required to form the home rule school district.
III
PURPOSE OF THIS PETITION SUBMISSION AND
REASON FOR CREATION OF THIS HOME-RULE SCHOOL DISTRICT
A home-rule school district will “increase the choice of learning opportunities within the public school system” and “encourage different and innovative learning methods,” both regulatory goals under TEC §12.001. Schools in the Westside Panhandle are (a) not failing and (b) not declared “priority schools” for HISD’s New Education System. These schools should be empowered to continue to innovate in full compliance with TEC §12.001.
A home-rule school district can locally mandate “professional opportunities that will attract new teachers to the public school system,” another regulatory goal under TEC §12.001. HISD currently suffers from (a) a significant turnover of teachers and administrators and (b) a high percentage of HISD teachers without a full Texas teaching certification. A home-rule school district will be empowered to employ alternative methods for employment, management, and retention.
A home-rule school district will “establish a new form of accountability for public schools,” an additional regulatory goal under TEC §12.001. Currently, the Westside Panhandle is subject to HISD regulations that often do not fairly apply. This is because, among other reasons, the Westside Panhandle is by its very nature a small strip of territory effectively isolated from the remainder of HISD. This isolation is unique to the Westside Panhandle and has resulted, and will continue to result, in (a) unequal access to educational and sports opportunities for district students, (b) unfair application of district-wide metrics to the district’s student population, and (c) inadequate programs assisting working parents (all as further outlined in Exhibit B). A home-rule school district is provided with substantial programmatic and taxation autonomy that empowers it to locally correct these systemic impediments.
Finally, a home-rule school district’s taxation authority (under TEC §12.013) may be employed to assist district schools with local infrastructure needs. Voters rejected HISD bond proposals in 2024 which focused on building expansions/renovations and technology upgrades (inclusive of, among other things, HVAC maintenance). Local taxation, if proposed and agreed to, could meet local area needs pending HISD’s next bond proposal.
VI
Conclusion
In 2024, the Board of Managers rated itself a 1 out of 10 on “community engagement.” The proposal of a home-rule district would profoundly demonstrate such engagement because the entire process is ultimately subject to the vote of the community. In other words, by proposing home rule to the Westside Panhandle, the Board of Managers is clearly engaging the community and eliciting its opinion.
This petition is respectfully submitted to demonstrate your duty as Managers and advance your mission of community engagement, both to the benefit of all Westside Panhandle students.
EXHIBIT A
EXHIBIT B
ESSENTIAL CHARTER COMPONENTS
As supporters of this petition, we advocate for a Home Rule Charter that ensures public schools operate with autonomy, equity, and local accountability. To that end, we respectfully submit the following Essential Charter Components as foundational elements that must be included in the design and implementation of the Home Rule Charter:
1. Autonomous Teacher Management
Local authority over the hiring, retention, and discipline of teachers to maintain professional standards and best serve students.
Local authority over the hiring, retention, and discipline of teachers to maintain professional standards and best serve students.
2. Appraisals and Salary
Local oversight of teacher evaluations and salary structures to ensure fairness, transparency, and alignment with community needs.
Local oversight of teacher evaluations and salary structures to ensure fairness, transparency, and alignment with community needs.
3. An Elected Board of Home Rule Trustees
Governance by a publicly elected board to preserve democratic accountability and community representation.
Governance by a publicly elected board to preserve democratic accountability and community representation.
4. Curriculum Autonomy
Full autonomy over curriculum decisions, ensuring flexibility to meet the diverse needs of students—without mandates from the New Education System.
Full autonomy over curriculum decisions, ensuring flexibility to meet the diverse needs of students—without mandates from the New Education System.
5. Testing Autonomy
Authority over all assessments not required by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), allowing for more meaningful and locally relevant testing practices.
Authority over all assessments not required by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), allowing for more meaningful and locally relevant testing practices.
6. Provisions for Facilities and Technology
Commitment to maintaining and upgrading athletic facilities, learning environments, and educational technology across all campuses.
Commitment to maintaining and upgrading athletic facilities, learning environments, and educational technology across all campuses.
7. Libraries and Librarians at Each Campus
Every school must include a functioning library staffed with a certified librarian to foster literacy and support academic growth.
Every school must include a functioning library staffed with a certified librarian to foster literacy and support academic growth.
8. Mental Health Therapists for District Students
Access to licensed mental health professionals at each campus to support student well-being and academic success.
Access to licensed mental health professionals at each campus to support student well-being and academic success.
9. Elementary After School Care
Provision of after-school programs for elementary students to support working families and provide enriching activities.
Provision of after-school programs for elementary students to support working families and provide enriching activities.
10. Home Rule Control Over Student Discipline
Local authority to develop and enforce fair, restorative discipline policies consistent with community values.
Local authority to develop and enforce fair, restorative discipline policies consistent with community values.
11. Home Rule Authority Over School Safety
The power to implement safety measures tailored to each school’s specific needs, ensuring a secure environment for all students and staff.
The power to implement safety measures tailored to each school’s specific needs, ensuring a secure environment for all students and staff.
