Houston NewsMakers for Aug. 18

All about back-to-school

HOUSTON – HISD’S Interim Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer Ken Huewitt says he’s been able to take a close look at what’s happening in the district and says many people are getting the wrong picture about HISD.

“Despite what you hear or might read in the paper or hear in the news,” he said. “We’ve got the vast majority of our employees all about the kids and they are putting in the effort and putting in the work.”

Huewitt says the challenges are still large because of the size of the state’s largest district. He also talks about expected changes with the hiring of a new HISD Superintendent.

Also this week, former HISD Trustee and new Director of Education for the City of Houston Juliet Stipeche. She was appointed to the newly created position by Mayor Sylvester Turner and says there is a great deal of work to be done.

“Education has to be at the forefront of conversation,” she said. “It is the greatest indicator for the fiscal well-being of a community.” She asked, “What can we do to make sure that it’s (education) constantly on everyone’s mind, especially given the very unique issues that are happening in our community today.”

STUDENT SAFETY is one of the most important aspects of sending children to school. HISD Chief of Police Robert Mock is also a guest this week and says the start of school is a time for heightened awareness as kids go to class.

“Our parents are very dedicated and they want to make sure they get their children in,” he said. “If you don’t have to drive by the school, you may want to take an alternate route for at least a week or so until people get set in their routine.”

Mock also talks about anti-bullying efforts and the value of HISD body cameras in helping keep students and staff safe.

AND

 

President of the Houston Federation of Teachers Zeph Capo says Houston area teachers have been working hard, not just in the weeks before the start of school but most likely for most of the summer. He said the idea that teachers take the summer off is mostly a myth.

“If they’re not working summer school they’re in a workshop somewhere,”he said. “They’re training for the newest curriculum updates that they are focusing on insuring that they’re prepared to greet their kids the first day of school.”

Contact information for this week’s guests: