HISD Updates on First Day of School
Superintendent Mike Miles of the Houston Independent School District (HISD) recently provided updates on the beginning of the school year, focusing on staffing, transportation, and facilities to ensure a smooth start for students.
During the conference, Miles highlighted the success in staffing, with only 28 vacancies out of 10,640 positions, which equated to less than 0.3% of teachers being absent. He emphasized that regular teachers, rather than substitutes, led most classrooms, with no substitutes needed at the New Education System (NES) schools.
Transportation was another key focus, as HISD spent $56 million last year to transport 9,000 students. To optimize bus routing, the district introduced changes such as satellite locations and the implementation of the EduLog software.
Despite some initial challenges with the EduLog system, including incorrect routes and multiple notifications for families, Miles assured that improvements would be made. The district plans to expand its call center to better assist parents with transportation inquiries.
Addressing concerns about students waiting for late buses, especially at Sharpstown, Miles promised to investigate and resolve any issues. He also acknowledged the need for better communication with parents regarding bus routes and emphasized the importance of timely notifications.
On the matter of air conditioning, Miles assured that the district is actively addressing any issues, including those on buses serving special needs students. In cases where classrooms lack proper cooling, students are relocated to cooler areas within the school.
Looking ahead, HISD is working to ensure all students have access to transportation, particularly addressing the 700 students without current routes. Parents will be updated as the situation progresses.