HISD TAKEOVER - July 2023

                            Page Contents
LIBRARIES                           Opinion/Letters
National Media                  Political Fallout
Social media
Unexpected media ​

HISD Libraries
Dunlap, Miranda. “Houston ISD schools can join Mike Miles’ ‘reform’ plan early. Here’s what would change.” Houston Landing, 6 July 2023.
​Homer, Michelle. “HISD adds 57 schools to the New Education System (NES) initiative to receive additional support.” KHOU, 11 July 2023.Baumann, Anna. “HISD's Miles will convert some libraries into discipline areas, eliminate librarians.” Houston Chronicle, 25 July 2023
KHOU Staff. “Some HISD libraries will become 'team centers'.” KHOU, 25  July 2023. Some libraries will be turned into "team centers" where students who were removed from class due to behavioral issues will be placed to watch their class virtually. VIDEO
Nguyen, Rosie. “HISD to eliminate librarians and convert libraries into disciplinary centers at NES schools.” ABC Houston, KTRK, 26 July 2023.
“HISD to eliminate librarians, turn libraries into discipline centers at 28 campuses.” KPRC Channel 2, 26 July 2023. VIDEO
Houston ISD to eliminate dedicated librarians at 28 underperforming schools. Fox 26 Houston, 26 July 2023. VIDEO
Harris, Gerald. “HISD superintendent faces criticism over decision to repurpose libraries, remove librarians at some schools.” KHOU, 27 July 2023. VIDEO
​KHOU. Former head of library services criticizes HISD's repurposing of libraries at NES schools.” KHOU, 27 July 2023. Kallie Benes VIDEO.​
“HISD superintendent faces criticism over decision to repurpose libraries, remove librarians at some.” WFAA-TV ABC (Dallas), 28 July 2023.
Hagerty, Michael and Craig Cohen. “New literacy curriculum is among the many changes coming to HISD.” Houston Public Media Houston Matters program, 28 July 2023. A new phonics-focused curriculum was tested last school year and will be expanded this year. 18 minute audio clip

National Media
​PENAmerica. “DISTURBING” DECISION TO TAKE AWAY 28 SCHOOL LIBRARIES IN HOUSTON: Libraries Would be Converted into Centers for Students Identified as "Disruptive".” 28 July 2023.
​Walker, Kayla. “School plan in Houston to repurpose libraries into discipline centers draws fire.” USA Today, 28 July 2023.
​​Rayford, Rayna Reid. “Houston Independent School District Turning Libraries Into Discipline Centers And Getting Rid Of Librarians At 28 Campuses.” Essence.com, 27 July 2023.
​PENAmerica. “Disturbing” Decision to Take Away 28 School Libraries in Houston.” 28 July 2023.

​Social Media
​Telemundo. “HISD Superintendent Set to Eliminate Libraries to Create Disciplinary Centers at Dozens of Schools.” Barbara Rivas FB post, 26 July 2023.​

Opinion / Letters to the Editor
​Morris, Sarah. “Texas’ Largest School District Fires 28 Librarians, Will Convert Libraries to Behavior Centers.” EveryLibrary, 27 July 2023.
​Houston Chronicle Editorial Board. “Exclusive: We saw the ‘Zoom room.’ Mike Miles’ vision for HISD is coming to life. (Editorial).” Houston Chronicle, 27 July 2023.
​Editorial Board. TEA takeover of HISD: Editorials and op-eds (Opinion). Houston Chronicle, Collected Editorials posted 27 July 2023. Not many library references but remains useful.

Political Fallout
​​Baumann, Anna. “Mayor Turner says HISD's Miles has 'gone too far' with plan to turn libraries into discipline areas.” Houston Chronicle, 26 July 2023. SNL: they drew a straight line from closed libraries to censorship efforts.
​KHOU. “Community Leaders criticize HISD turning some libraries into ‘discipline areas’.” Tweet, 28 July 2023.
Zuvanich, Adam. “City leaders criticize Houston ISD superintendent Mike Miles over plans for school libraries.” Houston Public Media, 26 July 2023.
A Houston coalition of current and former elected officials, the NAACP, community organizations, parents and teachers.  Thread of video clips, 28 July 2023. Houston NAACP President Bishop James Dixon; Sheila Jackson Lee; HFT President Jackie Anderson; Houston City Council District D Carolyn Evans-Shabazz; Houston Representative Christina Morales.
Walker, Aswad. “NAACP to Miles: nix ‘libraries-to-school prison’ plan.” Defender Network, 29 July 2023. Alma Allen calls out Cheryl Hensley as strong librarian.
Harris, Gerald. “Community leaders criticize HISD turning some libraries into 'discipline areas'.” KHOU, 28 July 2023. video
Dunlap, Miranda. “‘An attack on communities of color’: City leaders condemn HISD eliminating some librarians.”   Houston Landing,  31 July 2023.
Schneider, Andrew. “Turner, Miles lock horns over plan to convert Houston ISD libraries to “team centers,” relocate librarians.”  Houston Public Media, 31 July 2023.
Rayford, Sabirak. “Mayor Sylvester Turner speaks out against HISD’s plan to transform 28 school libraries.” click2Houston.com, 31 July 2023.

Unexpected Media Mention