HHA hosting blood drive March 28

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

The Houston Heights Association will be hosting another blood drive in the area later this month as it continues to encourage neighbors to help others, according to the organization.

On March 28, the HHA will host its March blood drive from 10 a.m.2:30 p.m. at the historic Heights Fire Station, 107 W. 12th St. in the Heights.

The HHA began host -

1 ing blood drives in May 2020, and has continued to host a number of monthly drives over the last few years even as the area emerges from the pandemic.

It has become a hub of sorts for the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, which provides blood for 140 hospitals in 26 counties in the Houston region. Each donation can save three lives, because a pint of donated blood can be mined for plasma, platelets and red blood day, the TEA said it has made its final decision.

“I have carefully reviewed the Texas Supreme Court’s opinion. I have also considered the information presented by the district during the previously granted formal review,” Morath said in a letter sent to the HISD board of trustees on Wednesday morning. “As a result of those deliberations, and to best support the students, teachers, parents, and school community of Houston ISD, I am appointing a Board of Managers to the district as an intervention action required by law.”

In the letter, Morath said the board and superintendent Millard House II will be replaced with a state-appointed board on two grounds. He cited one of the district’s campuses – Wheatley High School – receiving “unacceptable” academic performance

Bayou City from P. 1 prints, jewelry, sculptures and more at prices for everyone,” the organization said.

The show will also showcase the work of the top 30 students from the festival’s annual Middle School Art Competition, with an awards ceremony set to announce the top three winners as well as the People’s Choice Award on Sunday.

Among the festivities will be a Stella Artois Main Stage, a food truck park, a craft beer and wine garden, a scotch tasting, a fourhole mini putt-putt course, and more according to the organization.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12, while those under five years old will get in free. They can be bought on- cells. from 2011-2019, which he says requires the TEA to either close the campus or appoint a board of managers if it happens for at least five consecutive years. He also cited that the district has had a conservator assigned for more than two consecutive school years.

In order to register, those interested in donation can go to https:// www.facebook.com/ HoustonHeightsAssociation and scan the QR code on the flyer to sign up. All successful donors will receive a free e-gift card, the HHA said, as well as a general admission ticket to Big Rivers Waterpark and Adventures.

HISD Superintendent Millard House II issued a statement in response to the announcement Wednesday.

“I stepped into my role understanding the obstacles we faced as a district including a looming TEA intervention. My team and I remained focused on building a framework that prioritized a high quality educational experience supported by world class talent for all students,” he said.

“I am proud to say, in the last 19 months, we have already seen vast improvements. Because of the hard work of our students, line at bayoucityartfestival.com. teachers, and staff, we have lifted 40 of 50 schools off the D or F TEA accountability ratings list.”

A portion of the proceeds will go towards Houston nonprofits such as ArtReach, Fresh Arts, National Alliance on Mental Health Greater Houston, Second Servings, The Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and more.

Since its inception, the annual art festival has raised more than $3.7 million for local nonprofits according to the organization.

For more information on the festival, to buy tickets, or see the top 30 finalists from the Middle School Art Competition, visit the festival’s website at bayoucityartfestival.com.

And Wednesday’s announcement, House said, does not take away from the progress officials say the district has made over the last several years.

“I am confident our educators and staff will continue to do the necessary work to ensure positive student outcomes at every level. For our students and families, it is education as usual, and the school year continues as normal,” he said.

In the letter, Morath cited the initial reasons for the initiation of efforts for a takeover under the previous board, which he said “did not focus on improving student outcomes.” And while several new board members have since been elected, he said that does not change the reasons the TEA believes a takeover is neces- sary. “I recognize that several members of the board of trustees have been newly elected since 2019 and that current board members, individually and as a team, have tried to make progress since then,” he wrote. “I certainly commend the current board for voting last week to end its lawsuit against TEA, yet another indication that the current members of the board of trustees are trying to move forward for students. But prior academic performance issues continue to require action under state law.”

Morath said in the letter that the state-appointed Board of Managers and superintendent will be named later this year, and that they will keep the state apprised of the district’s status and performance.

“It is my sincere desire that the agency, the district, the board of trustees, the board of managers, and the community work together in a cooperative and productive manner for the best interest of Houston ISD students during the current period of transition and throughout the period of the board of managers appointment,” he wrote.

And for House II, he said his only desire is to do what is in the best interests for the nearly 200,000 students and their families who are part of HISD’s 173 schools.

“As we wrap up this school year, my focus will be on working with our board of trustees and the TEA to ensure a smooth transition without disruption to our core mission of providing an exceptional educational experience for all students,” he said.