Houston ISD parents defend fired teachers, principal

Hundreds of parents and students gathered to protest outside Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School, joining a wave of discontent that swept several Houston ISD campuses after many principals and teachers were asked to resign.

This year, HISD announced it would cut jobs districtwide to address a projected $450 million budget shortfall.

One of those fired was Meyerland principal Auden Sarabia, who was named principal of the year the previous year. Sarabia was given the option to resign or be fired. If the principal chooses to be terminated, he or she has the right to appeal to the TEA.

“Everything that’s happening in the district right now is absolutely ridiculous,” Karina Gates, a Meyerland alumna, told the Houston Chronicle. “I don’t even understand. How do you fire last year’s Principal of the Year? I don’t understand. It’s just politics. And they don’t care about our children and their future, and no, no, that’s not going to happen.

The protest also targeted state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles with signs calling for protections for principals and teachers. The district did not provide specific details on the number of principals affected by the performance measures or the distribution of staff reductions amid a significant funding gap.

The district argued that principals were not being asked to resign because of budget cuts. Instead, the district says decisions are made to ensure “every student receives a high-quality education, every day,” a HISD spokesperson said. “In some cases, we hope that principals who will not remain in their current position for the next school year will apply for an assistant principal position or other positions within HISD that will help the educator develop instructional leadership .”

The lack of clarity surrounding the principal and teacher resignations has sparked calls for transparency and accountability from various stakeholders and even elected officials like Houston City Council member Edward Pollard, who demanded transparency and answers.

“These layoffs raise serious questions about the decision-making process within HISD,” Pollard said. “Why weren’t these employees notified? On what basis were decisions made about who would lose their jobs? Such actions not only disrupt lives, but also shake the very foundations of trust that should exist between a school district and its community.

Concerns about the timing and communication of these decisions during Teacher Appreciation Week and Mother’s Day weekend added to the frustration expressed by parents.

Meanwhile, HISD administrators have maintained that they use data and surveys to make their personnel decisions.

This year, HISD announced it would cut jobs districtwide to address a projected $450 million budget shortfall.

One of those fired was Meyerland principal Auden Sarabia, who was named principal of the year the previous year. Sarabia was given the option to resign or be fired. If the principal chooses to be terminated, he or she has the right to appeal to the TEA.

“Everything that’s happening in the district right now is absolutely ridiculous,” Karina Gates, a Meyerland alumna, told the Houston Chronicle. “I don’t even understand. How do you fire last year’s Principal of the Year? I don’t understand. It’s just politics. And they don’t care about our children and their future, and no, no, that’s not going to happen.

The protest also targeted state-appointed superintendent Mike Miles with signs calling for protections for principals and teachers. The district did not provide specific details on the number of principals affected by the performance measures or the distribution of staff reductions amid a significant funding gap.

The district argued that principals were not being asked to resign because of budget cuts. Instead, the district says decisions are made to ensure “every student receives a high-quality education, every day,” a HISD spokesperson said. “In some cases, we hope that principals who will not remain in their current position for the next school year will apply for an assistant principal position or other positions within HISD that will help the educator develop instructional leadership .”

The lack of clarity surrounding the principal and teacher resignations has sparked calls for transparency and accountability from various stakeholders and even elected officials like Houston City Council member Edward Pollard, who demanded transparency and answers.

“These layoffs raise serious questions about the decision-making process within HISD,” Pollard said. “Why weren’t these employees notified? On what basis were decisions made about who would lose their jobs? Such actions not only disrupt lives, but also shake the very foundations of trust that should exist between a school district and its community.

Concerns about the timing and communication of these decisions during Teacher Appreciation Week and Mother’s Day weekend added to the frustration expressed by parents.

Meanwhile, HISD administrators have maintained that they use data and surveys to make their personnel decisions.