Understanding Houston ISD's School Board | Community Exchange
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Understanding Houston ISD's School Board
The HISD Board of Managers sets policy for one of the largest school districts in the country, overseeing over 190,000 students across hundreds of campuses.
Houston ISD (Independent School District) is the largest school district in Texas — and one of the biggest in the country. Since June 2023, it has been run by a state-appointed Board of Managers instead of elected trustees. This guide helps you understand who makes decisions for HISD, what those decisions cover, and how you can have a voice in the process.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) took over HISD in June 2023 and replaced the nine elected trustees with an appointed Board of Managers. The Board approves budgets, major contracts, school openings and closures, staffing policies, and facility plans. A TEA-appointed Superintendent handles day-to-day operations. The timeline for returning to elected governance depends on future TEA decisions and possible legal challenges. Keep in mind that HISD does not cover every part of Houston — neighboring districts such as Alief ISD, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, Spring Branch ISD, and others serve portions of the city. Use the TEA School District Locator to confirm which district covers your address.
Board of Managers meetings are open to the public and held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 5:00 PM at Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 West 18th Street, Houston, TX 77092. You can attend in person or watch the livestream at houstonisd.org. Public comment is available at every meeting — sign up in advance through the HISD website or in person before the meeting starts. You get three minutes to speak. For campus-level influence, join your school's parent-teacher organization (PTO) or parent advisory committee. You also have the right to review curriculum materials, attend campus governance meetings, and request meetings with principals and teachers.
No fixed date
Not location-specific
Your school's parent-teacher organization is one of the most direct ways to shape what happens on your campus. Campus advisory committees give parents a formal seat at the table. For district-wide policy, attending Board of Managers meetings or submitting public comment puts your voice on the record. If you live outside HISD boundaries, your neighboring district — Alief, Cypress-Fairbanks, Spring Branch, or another — will have its own board and meeting schedule.
The HISD Board of Managers controls a roughly $4 billion annual budget and makes calls that affect nearly 187,000 students — from which schools stay open to what gets taught in classrooms. Knowing how this works helps you hold decision-makers accountable and advocate for your child or your neighborhood.
