Tag Archives: HISD

Two for HISD V

Posted on March 28, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

In the past week or so, I have become aware of two candidates for HISD Board of Trustees, District V, which is the seat that is now held by Trustee Mike Lunceford but will be open in November as Lunceford … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2017 | Tagged Election 2017, HD134, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Kara DeRocha, Mike Lunceford, Sue Deigaard | 1 Comment

The updated bill for recapture and detachment

Posted on March 12, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Here are the numbers as we now face them. Houston ISD voters will face a choice of either paying the state’s $77.5 million recapture fee, or risk losing $98.4 million in tax revenue over the next fiscal year, according to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2017 | Tagged Election 2016, Election 2017, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, property taxes, recapture, Texas Education Agency, The Lege | 5 Comments

House releases school finance fix bill

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

A step in the right direction. The top public education policymaker in the Texas House unveiled a $1.6 billion plan on Monday that he described as a first step to overhauling the state’s beleaguered school funding system. At a Capitol … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged budget, Dan Huberty, Election 2017, HISD, property taxes, recapture, school finance, school finance reform, schools, Senate, Texas, Texas School Coalition, Texas Small Rural School Finance Coalition, The Lege | Comments Off

How the Legislature is raising your property taxes

Posted on February 19, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

RG Ratcliffe explains it all to you: Just how much money does the increased appraisal on property in your school district and elsewhere save the state budget writers? The projection is $1.5 billion for the next two-year budget. And where … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged Additional State Aid for Tax Reduction, budget, Greg Abbott, HISD, Legislative Budget Board, Plano, property taxes, recapture, Texas, Texas School Coalition, The Lege | Comments Off

Recapture re-vote will happen

Posted on February 11, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Mark your calendars for May 6. On Thursday, the board voted 5-3, with one abstention, to put another referendum on recapture on the May 6 ballot. Placing a second referendum on the May ballot will cost the district $800,000, according … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2017 | Tagged Anna Eastman, Election 2016, Election 2017, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Jolanda Jones, property taxes, recapture, Rhonda Skillern-Jones, Texas Education Agency, The Lege, Wanda Adams | Comments Off

HISD Board to discuss recapture re-vote today

Posted on February 9, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

We should find out today if a re-vote on recapture is in our future. At their monthly meeting Thursday, trustees for the Houston Independent School Board will consider putting recapture back on the ballot. […] In November, HISD voters rejected … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2017 | Tagged Election 2016, Election 2017, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, property taxes, recapture, Texas Education Agency, Wanda Adams | 3 Comments

A re-vote on recapture?

Posted on February 5, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

This is very interesting. After reconsideration of an 18-year-old law, state education officials are adjusting their school finance calculations in a way that could save several dozen school districts roughly $100 million — while costing the state the same amount … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2017, School days | Tagged Election 2016, Election 2017, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Paul Bettencourt, property taxes, recapture, school finance, schools, Texas, Texas Education Agency, The Lege | 2 Comments

Senate to begin studying school finance changes

Posted on January 25, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

We’ll see what this looks like. Leaders in the Texas Senate are vowing to find ways to overhaul the state’s school finance system, saying a recent Texas Supreme Court decision granted them a prime opportunity to shake up the heavily … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged budget, Dan Patrick, HISD, Jane Nelson, Larry Taylor, property taxes, recapture, school finance, school finance reform, schools, Senate, Texas, Texas Education Agency, The Lege, vouchers | 13 Comments

Sung and Vilaseca sworn in at HISD

Posted on January 15, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The HISD Board is back at full strength. As Anne Sung and Holly Flynn Vilaseca took their oaths of office and became Houston ISD’s newest Board of Education trustees on Thursday, their husbands swaddled their months-old babies in one hand … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Anne Sung, Election 2016, Election 2017, Greg Meyers, Harvin Moore, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca, Houston, recapture, schools, special education, special election, The Lege, Wanda Adams | 1 Comment

Where we begin with school finance

Posted on January 15, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

A nice overview from the Trib on school finance, where the problems are many and the budget situation is non-optimal. The current system is held together by a number of short-term fixes that have not been updated or reformed in … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged Additional State Aid for Tax Reduction, budget, David Thompson, Election 2016, Fast Growth School Coalition, HISD, Ken King, lawsuit, Lois Kolkhorst, pre-kindergarten, property taxes, recapture, school finance, school finance reform, schools, Senate, Supreme Court, Texas, The Lege, Trent Ashby | Comments Off

HISD Board appoints Meyers replacement

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Meet your new Trustee. Houston ISD’s Board of Education voted unanimously Monday night to name former Teach for America staffer Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca as its new District VI trustee. Flynn Vilaseca, who will replace outgoing Trustee Greg Meyers, will … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Anne Sung, Election 2017, Greg Meyers, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca, Houston | Comments Off

New school grading system looks pretty harsh

Posted on January 9, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Brace yourselves. Schools in poor neighborhoods overwhelmingly received the worst grades under Texas’ new rating system — but even typically high-performing districts got C’s and D’s, according to scores that will be released Friday. The “what if” grades show how … Continue reading →

Posted in School days, That's our Lege | Tagged HISD, Jimmie Don Aycock, lawsuit, Mary Gonzalez, Mike Morath, schools, STAAR, standardized testing, Texas, Texas Education Agency, The Lege | 2 Comments

A look ahead to Houston’s 2017 elections

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

I want to return to something in that story about Mayor Turner’s 2017 agenda, which was near the bottom but which is a very big deal for the coming year: A lawsuit over the ballot language used last year to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2017 | Tagged Anna Eastman, Anne Sung, Brenda Stardig, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Christopher Oliver, constitutional amendments, Election 2011, Election 2013, Election 2015, Election 2017, Election 2019, Ellen Cohen, Fort Bend County, Greg Meyers, Harvin Moore, HCC, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Houston City Council, Jack Christie, Jerry Davis, Johnny Isbell, Larry Green, lawsuit, light rail, Mayor, Metro, Mike Knox, Mike Laster, Mike Lunceford, Pasadena, redistricting, revenue cap, Robert Glaser, Supreme Court, term limits, Texas, The Lege, University line, Wanda Adams | 9 Comments

“Denied”: HISD and special education

Posted on January 1, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

There are problems here as well. Superintendent Richard Carranza announced Thursday that the Houston Independent School District has decided to conduct a detailed review of the way that it serves students with disabilities. The effort will include asking “independent, third-party … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged Abe Saavedra, HISD, Houston, Richard Carranza, schools, special education, Terry Grier, Texas Education Agency | Comments Off

Who wants to be an HISD Trustee?

Posted on December 17, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s your chance, to fill in for Greg Meyers, whose resignation took effect on Friday. Board members plan to appoint a new trustee to fill the vacancy by its Jan. 12 meeting. To qualify, one must live within the boundaries … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2017 | Tagged Election 2017, Greg Meyers, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston | Comments Off

Luman will request recount

Posted on December 12, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

John Luman posted the following on Facebook yesterday: Talk about close races! As of last night’s “unofficial” results, only 27 votes separate Anne Sung and me. Given the tightness of the race, I feel compelled on behalf of all of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged Anne Sung, Election 2016, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, John Luman, recount, runoff, special election | 1 Comment

Sung nips Luman in HISD runoff

Posted on December 11, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

By twenty-seven votes. Anne Sung narrowly defeated John Luman in a runoff election Saturday to take a seat on the Houston Independent School District board of trustees. Sung, who turns 38 Sunday, had the backing of the Houston Federation of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged Anne Sung, Election 2016, Election 2017, Harvin Moore, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, John Luman, runoff, special election, turnout | 3 Comments

Runoff Day for HISD special election

Posted on December 10, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Saturday, Dec. 10, is Election Day for voters in HISD Trustee District VII and City of Baytown Council District 3. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. There are 178,717 registered voters in HISD … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged Anne Sung, Baytown, early voting, Election 2016, Harvin Moore, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, John Luman, runoff, special election, turnout | 1 Comment

Runoff early voting: Light turnout

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Hey, remember that there’s a runoff for the special election to fill the HISD Trustee position in District VII? Well, early voting for it ended on Tuesday, and turnout so far is about what you’d expect for such an election. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged Anne Sung, early voting, Election 2016, Harvin Moore, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, John Luman, runoff, special election, turnout | 5 Comments

Re-Endorsement watch: Sung in the special

Posted on November 30, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron reiterates their choice of Anne Sung for the HISD VII special election runoff. Anne Sung will bring a wealth of educational experience to this position, representing a district with boundaries encompassing a broad swath of near-southwest to near-northwest … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged Anne Sung, early voting, Election 2016, endorsements, Harvin Moore, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, John Luman, runoff, special election | 4 Comments

HISD special election runoff will be December 10

Posted on November 22, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t believe I’ve seen a news story about this. The runoff election for the top two candidates to fill the unexpired term of outgoing HISD District VII Trustee Harvin Moore has been set for Dec. 10. Candidates competing in … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged Anne Sung, Dori Garza, early voting, Election 2016, Election 2017, Harvin Moore, Hillary Clinton, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, John Luman, precinct analysis, runoff, special election, turnout | 1 Comment

Former HISD Trustee Marshall found liable in civil bribery lawsuit

Posted on November 19, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Ouch. A bribery lawsuit that kept a cloud of suspicion over the Houston school district for six years ended Wednesday with a jury finding that former board president Larry Marshall participated in a kickback scheme that caused millions of dollars … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters, Scandalized! | Tagged campaign finances, ethics, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Larry Marshall, lawsuit | 1 Comment

HISD: Meyers resigns, Lunceford un-resigns

Posted on November 15, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Round and round we go. HISD Trustee Greg Meyers, who has served on the school board since 2004, has resigned. Meyers, who represents District VI for HISD and also served as board president in 2010, announced Thursday that he will … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2017 | Tagged Greg Meyers, Harvin Moore, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Mike Lunceford, schools | Comments Off

Precinct analysis: Hillary in Harris County

Posted on November 14, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s get started with the precinct data, shall we? Here’s a Chron story from the day after the election about how things looked overall in the county. The country’s most populous swing county turned a shade bluer Tuesday, when Hillary … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged CD07, Commissioners Court, Congress, Donald Trump, Election 2016, Election 2018, Gary Johnson, Harris County, HD134, HD138, Heights, Hillary Clinton, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, precinct analysis, President, runoff, SBOE, special election, Texas, The Lege, turnout | 5 Comments

Pasadena voting rights trial begins

Posted on November 14, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron’s Mike Snyder provides an update. [This] week in a Houston federal courtroom, [the Voting Rights Act] will again be invoked in a challenge to an allegedly discriminatory council system, this time in a suburban city that’s undergone a … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged City Council, Donald Trump, Election 2016, Hillary Clinton, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Johnny Isbell, lawsuit, MALDEF, Pasadena, President, redistricting, SCOTUS, single member districts, Texas, Voting Rights Act | Comments Off

Initial thoughts: Harris County

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I’m still not quite ready to resume regular blogging. I’ve got a few things drafted from before the election, several of which are non-political, that I’ll begin to put in the queue, and a couple of ones that were political … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged absentee ballots, Anne Sung, Donald Trump, early voting, Election 2008, Election 2012, Election 2016, Election 2018, Election 2020, Harris County, HD132, HD134, HD135, HD144, Hillary Clinton, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Jesse Ybanez, John Luman, judicial races, Mary Ann Perez, President, runoff, Sarah Davis, special election, Texas, The Lege, turnout | Comments Off

Dems sweep Harris County

Posted on November 9, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Hillary Clinton had a 100K lead in early voting in Harris County, and increased her lead as the night went on. The only countywide Republican who was leading early on was Mike Sullivan, but later in the evening, at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged Ann Harris Bennett, Anne Sung, CD23, Congress, Devon Anderson, District Attorney, Donald Trump, Ed Gonzalez, Election 2016, Fort Bend County, Harris County, Harris County Attorney, Harris County Sheriff, Harris County Tax Assessor, Heights, Hillary Clinton, HISD, Houston, Houston Heights Beverage Coalition PAC, John Luman, Keep the Heights Dry, Kim Ogg, Mike Sullivan, President, recapture, Richard Morrison, Ron Hickman, SBOE, special election, Texas, The Lege, turnout, Vince Ryan | 8 Comments

Races I’ll be watching today, non-Legislative edition

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

This is my companion to yesterday’s piece. 1. SBOE district 5 I’ve discussed the SBOE races before. This particular race, between incumbent Ken Mercer and repeat challenger Rebecca Bell-Metereau, is the one that has the closest spread based on past … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged 13th Court of Appeals, 14th Court of Appeals, 4th Court of Appeals, 5th Court of Appeals, Anne Sung, Cedric Watson, Edwards County, Election 2016, First Court of Appeals, Glenn Smith, Harris County, HCDE, Heights, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston Heights Beverage Coalition PAC, John Luman, Jon Harris, judicial races, Keep the Heights Dry, Ken Mercer, Pamela Elliott, Rebecca Bell-Metereau, recapture, Sandra Bland, SBOE, Sheriff, Sherrie Matula, special election, Texas, Victoria Bryant, Waller County | 4 Comments

BOMA for recapture

Posted on October 31, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

A group that represents property owners who would be directly affected if the recapture vote goes down and detachment results has endorsed a Yes vote on the recapture referendum. A local trade association for commercial property owners has come out … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged Election 2016, endorsements, HISD, Houston, property taxes, recapture, Sylvester Turner, Texas, Texas Building Owners and Managers Association, The Lege | 7 Comments

Still talking about recapture

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

This Chron story from Monday adds a bit more to the recapture discussion. As one Houston school board member sees it, the district’s November ballot measure regarding the state-mandated forfeiture of local tax dollars offers no good choice for voters. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016, School days | Tagged budget, Dan Patrick, Election 2016, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, property taxes, recapture, schools, Supreme Court, Sylvester Turner | Comments Off

Interview with John Luman

Posted on October 24, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

My final interview for the special election in HISD District VII to fill the remainder of outgoing Trustee Harvin Moore’s term is with John Luman. Luman is an intellectual property attorney with engineering degrees from George Washington University and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged Election 2016, Harvin Moore, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, interviews, John Luman, special election | Comments Off

Hochberg speaks on recapture

Posted on October 24, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

We should listen and at least consider what he’s saying. HISD loses the recapture money, one way or another, even if it doesn’t actually write a check. And the state gets its money one way or another, because the taxes … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged Election 2016, HISD, Houston, property taxes, recapture, school finance, Scott Hochberg, The Lege | 1 Comment

Interview with Victoria Bryant

Posted on October 21, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

As noted, one of the more interesting races on the ballot this year is the special election to fill the remainder of outgoing HISD Trustee Harvin Moore’s term. There are four candidates running for this seat, and today I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged Election 2016, Harvin Moore, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, interviews, special election, Victoria Bryant | Comments Off

Another look at the case for HISD recapture

Posted on October 21, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Dale Craymer taps the brakes on the vote-NO-on-recapture train. Houston Independent School District voters face an unhappy choice this November – vote “YES” or “FOR” on Proposition 1 to authorize the state to recapture roughly $160 million of the school … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged budget, Dale Craymer, Daniel Williams, Election 2016, HISD, Houston, property taxes, recapture, school finance, schools, The Lege | 2 Comments

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