HOUSTON – A mass “sickout” is planned across Houston ISD on Thursday, as parents, students and community members continue protesting the state takeover of the district.
Organizers are calling on families to keep students home or bring them to school after lunch so they will be counted absent. The goal, they say, is to send a message to state leaders and demand the return of the district’s elected school board.
Why now?
While the state takeover happened in 2023, parents say their opposition has never stopped.
Protesters argue the changes implemented under state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles have altered student curriculum and, in their view, lowered teacher morale. They say strict oversight measures and teacher evaluations are negatively impacting classrooms.
Miles, however, maintains that HISD has improved under his leadership. He has pointed to district performance metrics, including the fact that no schools are currently rated “F.”
Some parents dispute how that progress is being measured and say the district’s approach does not reflect what they’re seeing inside schools.
Protest at Lantrip Elementary
A morning protest is planned outside Lantrip Elementary School, where parents are expected to gather. Organizers say they will also speak during the HISD board meeting.
In addition to demanding the restoration of local control, protesters are calling for Superintendent Miles to be replaced.
They are also asking the district to provide clear guidance on how it would handle potential ICE enforcement situations. Organizers want HISD to publicly affirm that schools are safe spaces for immigrant students.