In Houston ISD, a program intended to meet the basic needs of students is shifting focus from food access to truancy and dropout prevention. The changes come on the heels of a major reduction in the size of HISD’s Homeless Services Office, from 40 workers to 12. Even with a $12 million investment in the new Sunrise Center initiative, some community members worry that HISD is on the wrong path.
The elected school board for Houston’s public school system lost policy-making power to a state-appointed management board in June. Two incumbents and two newcomers still sought office.