Voting against “keeps students and teachers in unhealthy and unsafe conditions when Houston voters have the means to provide them with better,” seven organizations say in letter
HOUSTON – October 24, 2024 – Several of Houston’s leading civic organizations issued a public letter Thursday, encouraging Houston residents to vote for Houston ISD’s Proposition A and Proposition B in the Nov. 5 election. The $4.4 billion bond would remove mold and lead from Houston schools, upgrade security, improve HVAC units, expand pre-K programs, build three new career and technical education centers, and make technology upgrades without raising taxes.
“We have far too many of our children in school environments that simply aren’t safe,” said Veronica Garcia, executive director for Houstonians for Great Public Schools. “It’s alarming to think that many of our schools have mold, outdated or no security measures, and even malfunctioning HVAC systems. This proposed bond package is our opportunity to address these critical safety and health needs, ensuring that every child can learn in a safe and healthy environment.”
BakerRipley, Greater Houston Partnership, Children at Risk, Good Reason Houston, Ed Trust, and Houston Region Business Coalition also signed the letter of support. In the letter, the organizations emphasized that HISD has not asked voters to approve a school for elementary and middle schools since 2007, nearly 20 years ago, and the students, teachers, and staff are feeling the effects of that neglect everyday.
Reports of failing infrastructure—such as air conditioning breakdowns during extreme heat and non-functioning heaters in winter—have become all too common. Alarmingly, about a third of HISD campuses, around 82 schools, have tested positive for elevated lead levels in their water, forcing the district to cap fixtures and necessitating urgent action to provide safe drinking sources.
“This bond is not a referendum on the state takeover or the HISD administration” Garcia said. HISD Props A & B are Houstonian’s pledge to upgrade basic learning conditions for HISD students, and working conditions for the district’s teachers. It is what is best for our children and we hope Houstonians will choose to put students and teachers first and vote for Prop A & B. Kids can’t wait any longer.”