Protesters stage ‘read-in’ at HISD board meeting

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Protesters gathered on the Houston Impartial Faculty District’s (HISD) central workplace to voice their opposition to the district’s controversial choice to repurpose libraries as detention facilities.

The “read-in” protest befell simply earlier than the commonly scheduled board of managers assembly on Aug. 10, signaling the rising concern over the adjustments being made to HISD’s instructional panorama.

Dozens of people stuffed the foyer and contained in the assembly armed with not simply indicators, however with books, standing with their backs turned on the Superintendent Mike Miles and the Board of Managers. Their message was clear, to induce Miles to rethink his choice and protect absolutely practical libraries inside all HISD colleges.

HISD dad and mom, neighborhood members protest throughout HISD board assembly. Credit score: Laura Onyeneho

Protesters representing a various group, together with college students and educators voiced their considerations concerning the shift, emphasizing that the district ought to prioritize guaranteeing that every one HISD libraries have the required assets to assist college students’ studying and development.

“As an educator, there are just a few college students that would want plenty of intervention to remain on level,” stated Aurelia Wagner third grade math instructor Elliot Elementary Faculty. “I don’t suppose that punishing the remainder of the youngsters that go to the varsity is the reply. Why can’t we use empty lecture rooms for these children whereas holding them engaged?”

Reverend Angela Ravin-Anderson of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church energized the group with an enormous spherical of applause for her supply of three white containers full of nearly 2,000 signed letters from her church in opposition to the library choice.

“There is no such thing as a analysis that helps the closing of libraries as a way of accelerating literacy,” she stated. “We all know that literacy will assist to derail the varsity to jail pipeline.”

Earlier this summer time, HISD introduced a controversial plan as a part of Miles “new schooling system” initiative. This plan contains the elimination of librarian and media-specialist positions in 28 colleges. As a substitute, these colleges will introduce self-discipline facilities, known as “workforce facilities,” the place misbehaving college students will likely be directed to proceed studying remotely.

In a press convention, Miles stated that literacy is an enormous initiative and that the expectations of the workforce facilities is to indicate that there will likely be extra studying happening.

“We’ve extra studying lecturers immediately than we did final yr. We’ve ELA lecturers and science and studying lecturers in a lot of the colleges, in order that’s doubling down on literacy,” he stated. “I admire the people who find themselves studying books and if the message is all children ought to be studying quite a bit, I feel the NES (New Schooling System) and NES-aligned faculty will reinforce that message.”

Lauren Ashley, Neighborhood Activist and HISD Guardian. Credit score: Laura Onyeneho

Neighborhood activist Lauren Ashley stated different HISD dad and mom like herself are satisfied that Miles’ guarantees contradict his actions.

“I hope, if nothing else, to indicate Mike Miles and the appointed board of managers how critical we’re. We need to present that books are part of actions. We’re utilizing these books as a device to push again in opposition to oppressive forces,” stated Ashley. “Faculty libraries are important to the ecosystems of a faculty, and to take books out of youngsters arms removes the chance for them to be lifelong learners.”