HISD board apologizes for behavior at last week's meeting

HOUSTON – The Houston Independent School District board of trustees held a news conference Monday discussing the turmoil caused by the recent interim superintendent changes.

The board apologized to the community for their actions during a board meeting last week.

"We the board of the HISD would like to apologize to our students, the community at-large, the parents, the families and all HISD employees, especially board services and our business and community partners. For our behavior over the last 10 months, and particularly at the board meetings this past Thursday. Our actions have not modeled the behavior we desire to instill in our children that we serve," Diana Dávila said.

Board members also said another meeting would be held later this week.

Members said they would continue to work in the best interest of the students in the district.

“We are committed to working together as a board for the benefit of our students, and we are unified in our efforts to build a better governance structure for our children,” HISD Board President Rhonda Skillern-Jones said. “We are confident that Dr. Lathan is the right person to lead the seventh-largest school district in the nation as our interim, and we thank the public for their encouragement and support.”

During a contentious board meeting last week, the HISD board approved a motion to remove Dr. Grenita Lathan as interim superintendent and install former HISD superintendent Dr. Abe Saavedra as the interim for a six-month period.

News broke Sunday night that the board and Saavedra had parted ways and he would not take over as interim superintendent after all.

WATCH: HISD apologizes for actions at board meeting last week

On Monday, Lathan addressed the move while reiterating that the students are her priority.

"There’s no doubt that these past few days have been a difficult time for our district, but know that my work never stopped," Lathan said. "Our students has always been my priority and will continue to be my priority. All of us, the community, district leadership and our schools must look future for the good of the student in our care."

Other members acknowledged the behavior last week was unacceptable.

“We will work to improve our behavior as adults, treat each other with respect, and embark on the right focus of doing all we can to improve academic achievement for all our students,” Trustee Jolanda Jones said. 

The HISD board has scheduled a board meeting for 8 a.m. Thursday during which they will discuss rescinding the appointment of Saavedra and reinstating Lathan as interim superintendent.

The board will also consider an end date for the district's superintendent search.

Here's the list of what's on Thursday's agenda:

  • B-1: Consider  Rescission  Of  Oct. 11,  2018,  Motion  And  Action To  Appoint  Dr. Abelardo Saavedra As Interim Superintendent And Terminating Dr. Grenita Lathan As Interim Superintendent And Consider Reinstatement Of Dr. Grenita Lathan As Interim Superintendent
  • B-2: Consider Approval To Submit A Request To Texas Education Agency To Change Governance Conservator
  • B-3: Consider Approval To Set An End Date For Superintendent Search
  • B-4: Consider Approval And Adoption Of Resolution Concerning Reconciliation 
  • B-5: Consider Approval Of Executive Coach For The Interim Superintendent
  • B-6: Consider Approval Of Executive Coach For The Board Of Education