The details
Board managers approved the selection of the committee, as well as two alternatives, during the board’s Oct. 10 meeting.
Officials noted the committee will be responsible for overseeing the progress of bond projects, providing regular project updates, and communicating allegations of potential waste or fraud to district leadership.
Some context
Voters will consider two separate bond propositions during the Nov. 5 election, including:
- Proposition A, which includes $3.96 billion aimed at addressing aging infrastructure
- Proposition B, which includes $440 million for technology infrastructure and upgrades
While the bulk of the work included in the 2012 bond was focused on high school improvements, district officials said the 2024 bond places more emphasis on elementary and middle school improvements.
A closer look
District officials said the members selected to the committee all live within HISD’s boundaries and represent diverse professional backgrounds from fields including law, construction, engineering, finance, government, education and energy. The members selected also include six former and current HISD parents.
The members of the bond oversight committee include:
- Andy Canales
- Andy Chan
- Bob Eury
- Chris Brown
- Christopher Cola
- Daria Wenas
- Felix Chevalier
- Lauren Haller Fontaine
- Marcos Rosales
- Mark Mallette
- Michael Davis
- Taylor Chapman
- Wendell Robbins III
What they're saying
Community members spoke for more than three hours during the public comment portion of the Oct. 10 meeting.
While many of the individuals who spoke about the bond acknowledged the need for new facilities and campus safety improvements, most voiced opposition to the proposal due to their mistrust of Superintendent Mike Miles and the district’s board of managers, who were appointed by the Texas Education Agency to take over the district in June 2023.
State Sen. Molly Cook, D-Houston, who is up for reelection in November, said she was encouraging her constituents to vote against the bond.
“I've been talking to constituents, talking to experts, talking to impacted community members, and no one has been able to convince me [to support the bond],” Cook said. “Even with all the issues in our schools—the issues with the facilities all the children and teachers are dealing with—no one has been able to convince me that this is a good idea.”
While little public support was expressed during the Oct. 10 meeting, four of HISD’s currently elected trustees spoke in favor of the bond proposal during the board’s Aug. 8 meeting. The elected board of trustees serves the district in an advisory capacity while the TEA takeover is in effect.
What’s next
Voters will consider approving the district’s bond proposal during the Nov. 5 election.
If approved, district officials will launch project site feasibility studies in November and issue solicitations for safety, health and security projects in the first quarter of 2025. Officials said the first wave of projects could launch in the second quarter of 2025 if the bond package is approved.
