HOUSTON – Parents and teachers at several Houston ISD schools gathered Monday morning in support of their schools and their principals. They say the district gave those principals an ultimatum to resign or meet with the board of managers - and possibly face termination.
PREVIOUS: ‘Resign or terminate’: Houston ISD parents claim Meyerland Middle School principal given ultimatum
KPRC 2′s Cathy Hernandez was at Meyerland Middle School where community members demanded their voices be heard.
It was a large turnout at Meyerland Middle School, where demonstrators gathered in hopes of saving their principal. Hundreds of people chanted and held signs outside Meyerland Middle School in support of Principal Auden Sarabia.
“We love mr. Sarabia so much and that he’s probably one of the best principals I’ve ever had,” Adeline LeBlanc, a 7th-grade student said. “We’d be very sad to see him go.”
Principal Sarabia has worked for the district for 18 years - and was chosen last year as the Middle School Principal of the Year.
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Principal Sarabia told staff last week the district gave him two options: resign or meet with the board of managers for a conference, learn why he’s on the chopping block, and face termination.
Sarabia was apparently on a list released in March of more than 100 principals at risk of losing their jobs - based on the district’s performance screening. However, after public outcry - the district said the ratings would not be used - regarding employment.
Last week, HISD Superintendent Mike Miles said principals were going to be evaluated by several other data points.
“Principals are on a pay-for-performance evaluation system,” he said. “The core of that is data: instructional data, achievement data, action plan data, leadership data so a lot of information on a principal.”
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These cuts also come after the district announced it was facing a $450 million budget shortfall. Despite that, members of the Meyerland community hope to save Mr. Sarabia
“It doesn’t make sense to get rid of your best and brightest,” Robbie McDonough, an HISD parent said. “He was just 2023 principal of the year, you don’t become a problem overnight. You don’t become some sort of performance issue overnight. He’s here for his students, he’s here for his teachers, he’s here for his parents. This community loves him.”
This community says they’ll not stop fighting until their voices are heard.