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GOOD MORNING. THIS SPECIAL MEETING IS NOW CONVENED AT 11:32 A.M.
[Houston ISD Oath of Office]
I'D LIKE TO WELCOME YOU TODAY ON THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION AS WE ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE TO NEWLY ELECTED AND REELECTED TRUSTEES OF THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT IN THE BOARD AUDITORIUM ARE TRUSTEE GUIDRY, TRUSTEE HERNANDEZ, TRUSTEE ALLEN, TRUSTEE SANTOS AND TRUSTEE DEIGAARD.I WOULD LIKE TO ASK EVERYONE TO PLEASE SILENCE ALL CELL PHONES.
PLEASE BE REMINDED OF OUR MASK MANDATE.
THOSE NOT ADHERING TO THE DISTRICT RULES WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE BUILDING.
THANK YOU. PLEASE RISE FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
SILENT MEDITATION AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND THE PLEDGE TO THE TEXAS FLAG.
SUPERINTENDENT HOUSE WILL NOW LEAD THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
WE HAVE NOW COME TO THE PORTION OF OUR MEETING WHERE WE HEAR FROM SPEAKERS TO SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEMS. HOWEVER, WE HAVE NO REGISTERED SPEAKERS.
THEREFORE, WE WILL START WITH THE OATH OF OFFICE FOR ELIZABETH SANTOS, WHO HAS BEEN REELECTED TO SERVE A FOUR YEAR TERM AS TRUSTEE FOR DISTRICT ONE.
ELIZABETH ALBA SANTOS WAS FIRST ELECTED TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IN DECEMBER OF 2017.
SHE BELIEVES CHILDREN DESERVE OUTSTANDING TEACHERS IN EVERY CLASSROOM, SO SHE IS FOCUSING ON HIRING AND RETAINING GREAT EDUCATORS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THIS INVESTMENT IN EDUCATORS INCLUDES OFFERING NOT ONLY COMPETITIVE TEACHER SALARIES, BUT ALSO OPPORTUNITIES FOR RELEVANT AND WORTHWHILE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SHARED DECISION MAKING.
HER GOALS ALSO INCLUDE ELIMINATING THE CULTURE OF HIGH STAKES, STANDARDIZED TESTING IN SCHOOLS AND STRENGTHENING ETHICS RULES FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
MS. SANTOS WAS BORN AND RAISED IN HOUSTON, THE DAUGHTER OF MEXICAN IMMIGRANTS.
SHE ATTENDED NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS IN HISD, INCLUDING JANOWSKI AND HERRERA ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND BURBANK MIDDLE SCHOOL.
SHE IS A PROUD GRADUATE OF SAM HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL.
IN PART DUE TO HER OWN POSITIVE EXPERIENCES, MS. SANTOS IS COMMITTED TO STRENGTHENING THE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS MODEL IN HISD.
SHE BELIEVES THAT THE BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND ITS SCHOOLS ENSURES THAT GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY.
SHE WELCOMES AND SEEKS INPUT FROM SCHOOL STAKEHOLDERS WHO HAVE VALUABLE INSIGHT INTO THE STRENGTHS AND NEEDS OF THEIR COMMUNITY.
SHE RECOGNIZES THAT STUDENT SUCCESS ALSO DEPENDS ON FACTORS THAT EXTEND BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, SUCH AS NEIGHBORHOOD, SUCH AS THE NEED FOR BASIC HEALTH CARE AND STABILITY.
SO SHE WILL WORK TO MAKE EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL THE HEARTBEAT OF ITS COMMUNITY WITH SUPPORT SERVICES FOR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
MS. SANTOS EARNED AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE FROM THE HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN ENGLISH LITERATURE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON DOWNTOWN.
RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING HER COMMUNITY AND GIVING BACK, MS. SANTOS RETURNED TO HER ALMA MATER AS A TEACHER.
SHE SERVED THERE FOR SEVEN YEARS AND WAS NOMINATED MULTIPLE TIMES FOR TEACHER OF THE YEAR.
MOST RECENTLY, SHE TAUGHT AT NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL, FORMERLY JEFFERSON DAVIS, HER MOTHER'S ALMA MATER.
AS A STUDENT, VOLUNTEER YOUTH COUNSELOR AND TEACHER, MS. SANTOS HAS DEDICATED HER LIFE TO UNDERSERVED YOUTH IN HER COMMUNITY.
SHE IS A COMMUNITY ADVOCATE AND IS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY VOICES FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION. HOUSTON AREA PROGRESSIVE'S TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE, THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN EMERGING LEADERS ORGANIZATION, AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE AND MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
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SHE SERVES AS AN EXAMPLE TO HER STUDENTS AND HOPES TO CREATE AN EMPOWERED COMMUNITY THAT INCLUDES STUDENTS WHO ARE SELF ADVOCATES.MS. SANTOS HAS ASKED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA TO ADMINISTER HER OATH OF OFFICE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND MS. SANTOS, PLEASE TAKE YOUR PLACES IN FRONT OF THE LECTERN.
FIRST, I'D LIKE TO ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT TRUSTEE CRUZ HAS ALSO JOINED THE DAIS.
SURE, WE CAN. YOU KNOW HOW LONG IT'S GOING TO BE.
I THINK WE WILL HAVE JUST A FEW MINUTES, UNTIL WE FIND OUT WHEN HER SWEARING IN PARTNER WILL BE HERE.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE YOUR PICTURES WHILE WE WAIT FOR COMMISSIONER GARCIA? SEVEN MINUTES.
AND OUR NEXT ONE BEGINS AT 11:50.
OK. THOSE PEOPLE WITH TRUSTEE SANTOS THAT WOULD LIKE TO TAKE PICTURES, PLEASE MEET IN THE FRONT.
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COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND MS. SANTOS, PLEASE TAKE YOUR PLACES IN FRONT OF THE LECTERN.FIRST OF ALL. LET ME EXTEND MY APOLOGIES, THERE'S ONLY ONE THING THAT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN LIZ, TRUSTEE SANTOS, AND THAT IS KEEPING THE COMMUNITY SAFE AND SO I WAS WORKING WITH CRIME STOPPERS AT THE MINUTE AND THAT WENT A LITTLE LONGER THAN WE HAD HOPED.
TO THAT END, I AM IMMENSELY EXCITED AND PROUD AND HONORED AND PRIVILEGED TO BE ABLE TO ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE FOR THIS PHENOMENAL LEADER AND SO ELIZABETH SANTOS IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, HE WANTS TO DO THE ADMINISTRATION.
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE FOR YOU TODAY, SO PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND REPEAT AFTER ME.
AFTER I SAY THE WORD I YOU WILL STATE YOUR NAME.
I, ELIZABETH SANTOS DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.
DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE.
THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF TRUSTEE.
THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF TRUSTEE FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
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OF THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, AND OF THIS STATE AND OF THE STATE. SO HELP ME, GOD.
SO HELP ME, GOD. CONGRATULATIONS.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] CONGRATULATIONS.
I'D LIKE TO NOW INVITE TRUSTEE SANTOS AND HER GUESTS TO PICK UP REFRESHMENTS IN ROOM 1EO1, WHICH IS AROUND THE CORNER TO THE LEFT.
PLEASE EXIT THE AUDITORIUM FROM THE DOORS BEHIND YOU AND TO THE LEFT.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY AND CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN, TRUSTEE SANTOS TODAY, ON THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION, AS WE ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE TO NEWLY ELECTED AND REELECTED TRUSTEES OF THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT IN THE BOARD AUDITORIUM ARE TRUSTEE, GUIDRY, TRUSTEE HERNANDEZ, TRUSTEE ALLEN, TRUSTEE CRUZ, TRUSTEE BLUEFORD-DANIELS, TRUSTEE DEIGAARD.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK EVERYONE TO PLEASE SILENCE ALL CELL PHONES AND BE REMINDED OF OUR MASK MANDATE. THOSE NOT ADHERING TO THE DISTRICT RULES WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE BUILDING.
THANK YOU. PLEASE RISE FOR A MOMENT OF SILENT MEDITATION AND REMAINING STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAGS.
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SUPERINTENDENT HOUSE.I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME YOU ON THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION AS WE ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE TO NEWLY ELECTED AND REELECTED TRUSTEES.
OUR NEXT OATH OF OFFICE WILL BE TRUSTEE SUE DEIGAARD, WHO HAS BEEN REELECTED AS TRUSTEE FOR DISTRICT FIVE FOR A FOUR YEAR TERM.
SUE DIMENN DEIGAARD WAS FIRST ELECTED TO THE HISD BOARD OF EDUCATION IN NOVEMBER OF 2017.
SHE GREW UP IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND MOVED TO HOUSTON IN 1987 TO ATTEND RICE UNIVERSITY.
THE DAUGHTER OF A HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT WHEN SHE RECEIVED HER TWO DEGREES FROM RICE, SHE WAS THE FIRST IN HER FAMILY TO GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE, AND SHE UNDERSTANDS FIRSTHAND THE IMPORTANCE OF A QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION.
ONE IS A CURRENT HISD STUDENT AND THE OTHER IS AN HISD GRADUATE.
AFTER GRADUATING FROM RICE, MS. DEIGAARD WORKED AS AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI AFFAIRS AND UNIVERSITY EVENTS AT HER ALMA MATER. IN THAT POSITION, SHE PRODUCED EVENTS SUCH AS THE PRESIDENTS LECTURE SERIES, ORGANIZED THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY AND SUPPORTED ALUMNI PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE YOUNG ALUMNI COMMITTEE.
HER FAVORITE PROGRAM BY FAR WAS THE STUDENT ALUMNI LIAISON COMMITTEE AND MENTORING PROGRAM, IN WHICH SHE COULD DIRECTLY FACILITATE IMPACTS ON STUDENTS THROUGH THEIR INTERACTION WITH RICE ALUMNI.
SHE LEFT HER POSITION AT RICE WHEN HER FIRST CHILD WAS BORN IN 2000.
HER UNWAVERING BELIEF THAT EDUCATION IS A CORNERSTONE OF OUR SOCIETY, ECONOMY AND DEMOCRACY HAS FUELED HER PASSION TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.
FOR MANY YEARS, SHE HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE AND INFORMED VOICE AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS, ADVOCATING FOR EFFECTIVE POLICIES AND FUNDING FOR HISD STUDENTS.
MS. DEIGAARD HAS HELD NUMEROUS LEADERSHIP ROLES, INCLUDING HISD BOARD PRESIDENT IN 2020.
PRIOR TO SERVING ON THE HISD BOARD, SHE SERVED AS A HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL APPOINTEE TO THE HOUSTON CENTER FOR LITERACY.
BOARD WAS A PARENT REPRESENTATIVE ON THE HISD DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND CHAIRED THE COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE FOR ARTS ACCESS INITIATIVE.
SHE REMAINS AN ACTIVE VOLUNTEER IN HER CHILD'S HISD SCHOOL.
SHE HAS ALSO BEEN A GUEST SPEAKER, PANELIST AND MODERATOR FOR EDUCATION FORUMS HOSTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON RICE UNIVERSITY, THE UNIT BY THE UNITED WAY AND CHILDREN AT RISK. MS. DEIGAARD IS ALSO A FELLOW WITH THE AMERICAN LEADERSHIP FORUM CLASS.
FORTY THREE ON COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND WAS A 2015 NEW LEADERS COUNCIL FELLOW.
SHE HAS SERVED ON THE BOARD OF THE NEW LEADERS COUNCIL.
HOUSTON SERVED AS PRESIDENT OF THE WOODSIDE CIVIC CLUB BOARD AND WAS A FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER OF THE BRAESWOOD SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL.
MS. DEIGAARD BELIEVES THAT ALL CHILDREN ARE CAPABLE OF SUCCESS REGARDLESS OF THE ZIP CODE IN WHICH THEY WERE BORN OR THE ABILITIES AND CHALLENGES WITH WHICH THEY COME TO SCHOOL.
SHE STATES THAT IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE EQUITY OF OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS, HISD NEEDS TO BEGIN WITH AN EQUITY OF EXPECTATION AND PROVIDE EQUITY OF OPPORTUNITY.
MS. DEIGAARD HAS ASKED STATE REPRESENTATIVE ANN JOHNSON TO ADMINISTER HER OATH OF OFFICE.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON AND MS. DEIGAARD WOULD YOU PLEASE TAKE YOUR PLACE AT THE LECTERN? SUPERINTENDENT HOUSE TRUSTEES, FRIENDS AND FAMILY, THANK YOU FOR THE SACRIFICES THAT YOU HAVE ALL MADE TO GET TO HERE.
I CAN'T THINK OF ANYBODY MORE DESERVING OF THE OPPORTUNITY OR ANYBODY BETTER TO SERVE THE CHILDREN OF HOUSTON AND THE ENTIRE STATE OF TEXAS.
SO SUE DEIGAARD IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.
[00:25:05]
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE TO YOU TODAY.PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND REPEAT THE FOLLOWING AFTER ME.
I SUE DEIGAARD DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.
DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF TRUSTEE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF TRUSTEE FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
AND OF THIS STATE AND OF THIS STATE.
SO HELP ME, GOD. CONGRATULATIONS.
THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME. [APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT.
CONGRATULATIONS, TRUSTEE DEIGAARD.
I'D LIKE TO NOW INVITE TRUSTEE DEIGAARD AND HER GUESTS TO PICK UP REFRESHMENTS IN ROOM 1EO2, WHICH IS AROUND THE CORNER TO THE LEFT.
PLEASE EXIT THE AUDITORIUM FROM THE DOORS BEHIND YOU AND TO YOUR LEFT.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY AND CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN, TRUSTEE DEIGAARD.
WHAT TIME IS THIS ONE SUPPOSED TO? PLEASE RISE FOR A MOMENT OF SILENT MEDITATION AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND THE PLEDGE TO THE TEXAS FLAG.
SUPERINTENDENT HOUSE WILL NOW LEAD THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
PLEASE BE REMINDED OF OUR MASK MANDATE, THOSE NOT ADHERING TO THE DISTRICT RULES WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE BUILDING.
THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO WELCOME YOU TODAY ON THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION AS WE ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE TO NEWLY ELECTED AND REELECTED TRUSTEES OF THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT. PLEASE SILENCE ALL CELL PHONES.
OUR NEXT OATH OF OFFICE WILL BE FOR KENDALL BAKER, WHO HAS BEEN ELECTED AS TRUSTEE FOR DISTRICT SIX FOR A FOUR YEAR TERM DR. KENDALL BAKER IS A NATIVE HOUSTONIAN WHO GREW UP IN FONTAINE PLACE IN NORTHEAST HOUSTON. HE GRADUATED FROM FOREST BROOK HIGH SCHOOL.
DR. BAKER LATER ATTENDED HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND THE COLLEGE OF BIBLICAL STUDIES AND EARNED A BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE IN THEOLOGY, ALONG WITH A MASTER'S DEGREE AND A
[00:30:05]
DOCTORATE OF DIVINITY FROM SEMINARY SCHOOL.UPON GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL, DR.
BAKER BEGAN EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
DURING HIS TENURE WITH THE CITY, HE WAS PROMOTED TO NUMEROUS POSITIONS IN SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING PUBLIC WORKS AND ENGINEERING GENERAL SERVICES, 9-1-1 EMERGENCY NETWORK AND THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR, AND WAS ULTIMATELY PROMOTED TO DIVISION MANAGER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS.
THREE ONE ONE HELP AND INFORMATION CENTER IN ADDITION TO HAVING OVERSIGHT OF A LARGE CONTACT CENTER OPERATIONS PROCESSING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF EMERGENCY AND NON-EMERGENCY INQUIRIES FROM CITIZENS, DR.
BAKER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ATTENDING SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL, HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT POSITIVE INTERACTION PROGRAM AND CIVIC AND HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATING MEETINGS ALL AROUND THE CITY TO PROMOTE NEW PROGRAMS AND TECHNOLOGY, AS WELL AS DIALOG WITH CITIZENS AND PROVIDE TIMELY RESOLUTIONS.
DR. BAKER OFFICIALLY RETIRED FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON IN 2015 AFTER 29 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE. DR.
BAKER IS A 25 PLUS YEAR MEMBER OF THE HOUSTON MINISTERS AGAINST CRIME.
THIS VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION HELPS MANY ENTITIES, INCLUDING THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, ASSISTING THE ADMINISTRATION, PARENTS AND STUDENTS IN CRIME PREVENTION ON SCHOOL CAMPUSES AND AROUND THE CITY.
DR. BAKER PREVIOUSLY ASSISTED HISD'S SOUTH AREA SUPERINTENDENT WITH COMMUNITY ISSUES.
HE FORMERLY SERVED AS DIRECTOR OF FIELD OPERATIONS FOR THE HOUSTON AREA PASTOR COUNCIL AND CHAIRMAN OF THE NEWLY FORMED HOUSTON POLICE AND CLERGY ALLIANCE.
THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE, AND BECAUSE OF HIS PASSION TO SERVE, DR.
BAKER HAS ALWAYS CONSIDERED HIMSELF TO BE A CHAMPION FOR THE VOICES OF THE PEOPLE BOTH IN MINISTRY AND PUBLIC SERVICE, THEREBY VALIDATING HIS CALL TO BE A SERVANT LEADER WHILE WORKING FOR THE CITY.
DR. BAKER SIMULTANEOUSLY PURSUED HIS CALL TO MINISTRY.
DR. BAKER IS AN ORDAINED MINISTER AND THE FOUNDING PASTOR OF A LOCAL CHURCH.
IN ADDITION TO HIS MINISTRY IN HOUSTON AND AROUND THE COUNTRY, DR.
BAKER ALSO MINISTERS AROUND THE WORLD IN COUNTRIES INCLUDING SOUTH AFRICA, NIGERIA, GHANA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM, ALONG WITH MINISTRY AND BUSINESS.
DR. BAKER DEEPLY CARES ABOUT HIS COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE EDUCATION OF YOUTH AND MAINTAINING FISCAL INTEGRITY OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
HE DESIRES TO USHER HISD TO HIGHER ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT ACROSS ALL SOCIOECONOMIC DEMOGRAPHICS. DR.
BAKER IS THE PROUD FATHER OF ONE DAUGHTER.
BAKER'S OATH OF OFFICE WILL BE STATE SENATOR PAUL BETTENCOURT.
DR. BAKER AND SENATOR BETTENCOURT, PLEASE TAKE YOUR PLACES AT THE LECTERN.
THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT AND KENDALL, IN THE NAME OF THE AUTHORITIES STATE OF TEXAS, AS THE STATE SENATOR, IT'S MY PLEASURE TO SWEAR YOU IN TODAY AND I LOOK OUT THROUGH THE AUDIENCE AND I SEE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT WE'VE KNOWN FOR SO LONG AND SO MANY PASTORS: PASTOR SCARBOROUGH, PASTOR WELCH AND BUT I KNOW THAT YOUR WORK HERE IS REALLY ABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION [INAUDIBLE], RIGHT? YES, SIR AND SO I CAN AS UNCLE PAUL, I WILL ONLY SAY I'M SO HAPPY TO BE HERE BECAUSE WHAT YOU DO FOR HER AND ALL THE OTHER 200000 CHILDREN OF THIS, OF THE LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN STATE IS SO IMPORTANT.
ALL RIGHT. SO WOULD YOU AT THIS TIME RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND REPEAT AFTER THE FOLLOWING AFTER ME? I, KENDALL BAKER, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.
I, KENDALL BAKER DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES AND OF THE OFFICE OF TRUSTEE.
THE DUTIES IN THE OFFICE OF TRUSTEE FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND WILL TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND TO THIS STATE, THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND THIS STATE. SO HELP ME, GOD.
THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU.
LET'S GIVE TRUSTEE BAKER A BIG HAND.
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I THINK THAT IS, UNLESS PRESIDENT ALLEN HAS SOMETHING ELSE IN STORE FOR YOU.[CHUCKLING] WELL, FIRST WHAT WE'LL DO IS GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO TAKE YOUR PICTURES.
OH, OK. SEE, YOU HAD THREE GENERATIONS HERE.
THREE GENERATIONS OF BAKER IS A GREAT THING.
CONGRATULATIONS. I'D LIKE TO NOW INVITE TRUSTEE BAKER AND HIS GUEST TO PICK UP REFRESHMENTS IN ROME 1EO1, WHICH IS AROUND THE CORNER TO THE LEFT.
PLEASE EXIT THE AUDITORIUM FROM THE DOORS BEHIND YOU AND TO THE LEFT.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN, TRUSTEE BAKER.
THAT'S OK, THEY'LL STOP OUR NEXT TRUSTEE--MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE? THANK YOU FOR COMING IN TO OUR CEREMONY.
PLEASE BE REMINDED OF OUR MASK MANDATE, THOSE NOT ADHERING TO THE DISTRICT RULES WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE BUILDING.
PLEASE RISE FOR A MOMENT OF SILENT MEDITATION AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND PLEDGE TO THE TEXAS FLAG.
SUPERINTENDENT HOUSE . SUPERINTENDENT HOUSE WILL NOW LEAD THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
I'D LIKE TO WELCOME YOU TODAY ON THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION AS WE ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE TO NEWLY ELECTED AND REELECTED TRUSTEES OF THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT. PLEASE SILENCE ALL CELL PHONES.
OUR NEXT OATH OF OFFICE WILL BE FOR BRIDGET WADE, WHO HAS BEEN ELECTED AS DISTRICT SEVEN TRUSTEE FOR A FOUR YEAR TERM.
SHE ATTENDED BRIARGROVE ELEMENTARY, PAUL REVERE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND WISDOM, FORMERLY ROBERT E. LEE AND EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOOLS.
SHE THEN EARNED A BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA.
MS. WADE'S INVOLVEMENT IN EDUCATION IS LONG STANDING WITH LEADERSHIP ROLES, INCLUDING PRESIDENT OF BRIARGROVE ELEMENTARY PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION, THE PTO CARNIVAL CHAIR AND CAMPUS NEW CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE.
SHE ALSO SAT ON THE EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND ALUMNI COUNCIL AND CHAIRED THE AUCTION AND ANNUAL FUND.
SHE HAS ALSO SERVED AS A VOLUNTEER FOR YELLOWSTONE ACADEMY AND HOGG HAVEN.
MS. WADE'S, DEEP APPRECIATION FOR HOUSTON HAS LED HER TO NUMEROUS LEADERSHIP POSITIONS ON SEVERAL BOARDS AND LEADERSHIP COMMITTEES IN THE AREA.
IN ADDITION TO SERVING AS BRIARGROVE ELEMENTARY PTO PRESIDENT, SHE LED A TASK FORCE FROM METHODIST HOSPITAL.
SHE ALSO CHAIRED THE ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE BLAFFER MUSEUM OF ART AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AND CURRENTLY SITS ON THE NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE BLANTON MUSEUM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS.
MS. WADE HAS BEEN MARRIED TO PATRICK WADE FOR 30 YEARS AND THEREFORE AND TOGETHER THEY HAVE THREE ADULT CHILDREN AND ONE DAUGHTER IN LAW.
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SHE AND HER HUSBAND ARE FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES.MS. WADE HAS ASKED STATE SENATOR PAUL BETTENCOURT TO ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE, MS. WADE AND SENATOR BETTENCOURT, PLEASE TAKE YOUR PLACES IN FRONT OF THE LECTERN.
BRIDGET, IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, AS STATE SENATOR, IT'S MY PLEASURE TO ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE FOR YOU TODAY AND SEE REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN FROM THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE AND I BELIEVE THAT MYSELF AND SENATOR WEST ARE THE RANKING MEMBERS IN THE SENATE, BUT I WOULD BE REMISS NOT TO RECOGNIZE THE RANKING MEMBER OF THE BUTLER FAMILY AND THAT'S YOUR MOM, PENNY AND JOHN, OK, WHO I HAVE WORKED WITH FOR MANY DECADES. SO WITH THAT, YOU NOW CAN RAISE YOUR HAND REPEAT AFTER ME.
I BRIDGET WADE DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.
I, BRIDGET WADE DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE.
THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF TRUSTEE, THE DUTIES OF OFFICE OF TRUSTEE FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THIS STATE AND OF THIS STATE. SO HELP ME, GOD.
SO HELP ME, GOD. CONGRATULATIONS, TRUSTEE.
WE WILL NOW TAKE TIME FOR THE TRUSTEE TO TAKE PICTURES.
CONGRATULATIONS. I'D LIKE TO NOW INVITE TRUSTEE WADE AND HER GUEST TO PICK UP REFRESHMENTS IN ROME 1EO2, WHICH IS AROUND THE CORNER TO THE LEFT.
PLEASE EXIT THE AUDITORIUM FROM THE DOORS BEHIND YOU AND TO THE LEFT.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY AND CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN, TRUSTEE WADE.
OUR NEXT CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 12:50.
GOOD AFTERNOON. OUR NEXT TRUSTEE IS TRUSTEE MYRNA GUIDRY.
PLEASE BE REMINDED OF OUR MASK MANDATE, THOSE NOT ADHERING TO THE DISTRICT RULES WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE BUILDING.
THANK YOU. PLEASE RISE FOR A MOMENT OF SILENT MEDITATION AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND PLEDGE TO THE TEXAS FLAG AND NOW FOR THE PLEDGE TO THE TEXAS FLAG.
[00:45:27]
I'D LIKE TO WELCOME YOU TODAY ON THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION AS WE ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE TO NEWLY ELECTED AND REELECTED TRUSTEES OF THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT. PLEASE SILENCE ALL CELL PHONES.OUR LAST OATH OF OFFICE WILL BE FOR MYRNA GUIDRY, WHO HAS BEEN REELECTED AS DISTRICT NINE TRUSTEE FOR A FOUR YEAR TERM.
MS. GUIDRY FIRST JOINED THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IN DECEMBER OF 2020, WHEN SHE WAS APPOINTED BY A UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THE BOARD TO FILL THE VACANT DISTRICT NINE SEAT MS. GUIDRY HAS BEEN AN ATTORNEY IN HOUSTON FOR 22 YEARS, CONCENTRATING ON FAMILY AND PROBATE LAW. SHE ALSO WORKS AS A MEDIATOR AND CONTINUES TO SERVE AS AN ADJUNCT LAW PROFESSOR OF MEDIATION AT THE THURGOOD MARSHALL SCHOOL OF LAW.
SHE HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL HONORS FOR HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS, INCLUDING BEING NAMED AMONG THE 10 BEST ATTORNEYS BY THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF FAMILY LAW ATTORNEYS IN 2017.
SHE EARNED A BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE FROM TULANE UNIVERSITY, FOLLOWED BY HER LAW DEGREE FROM SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE OF LAW IN HOUSTON.
SHE ALSO HOLDS NUMEROUS ACCREDITATIONS AND MEDIATION SERVICES.
IN ADDITION TO HER PROFESSIONAL WORK, MS. GUIDRY DEVOTES TIME VOLUNTEERING WITH CIVIC AND CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY INC., HOUSTON VOLUNTEER LAWYERS, THE STAR OF HOPE MILES MINISTRY AND WRIGHTSVILLE MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH, WHERE SHE TEACHES SUNDAY SCHOOL.
MS. GUIDRY AND HER HUSBAND ARE THE PARENTS OF ONE CHILD WHO GREW UP ATTENDING HISD SCHOOLS. SHE IS FOCUSED ON ACHIEVING HER VISION OF THE THREE R'S FOR THE DISTRICT TO RECONNECT, TO REINVENT AND TO REGENERATE.
HER GOAL IS TO RECONNECT THE BOARD MEMBERS TO EACH OTHER AND TO SCHOOL CHILDREN.
THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE COMMUNITY TO COLLABORATE ON REINVENTING THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION AND IDENTIFYING NEW DIRECTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS, AND TO REGENERATE HISD TO BE MORE SUCCESSFUL AND GUIDING CHILDREN TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES IN BOTH ACADEMICS AND THEIR INDIVIDUAL LIFE JOURNEYS.
MS. GUIDRY HAS ASKED STATE REPRESENTATIVE ALMA A.
ALLEN TO ADMINISTER HER OATH OF OFFICE, MS. GUIDRY, REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN AND JUDGE PEAKE PLEASE TAKE YOUR PLACES IN FRONT OF THE LECTERN.
JUDGE SANDRA PEAKE IS HOLDING THE BIBLE UPON WHICH MS. GUIDRY IS TAKING HER OATH.
MYRNA GUIDRY IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, IT IS MY PLEASURE TO ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE TO YOU TODAY.
THANK YOU. PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND REPEAT AFTER ME.
I MYRNA GUIDRY DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.
I MYRNA GUIDRY DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE, THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES AND THE OFFICE OF TRUSTEE, THE DUTIES AND THE OFFICE OF TRUSTEE FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, PRESERVE, PROTECT, PROTECT AND DEFEND AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THIS STATE AND OF THIS STATE SO HELP ME, GOD. SO HELP ME, GOD.
CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU.
WE WILL NOW GIVE MS. GUIDRY THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE PICTURES WITH HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
[00:55:37]
I'D LIKE TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO TRUSTEE GUIDRY.[00:55:42]
AND WHILE WE ARE WAITING ON THEM TO SIGN THE PICTURES, WE ARE GOING TO GIVE EACH ONE OF THE--EXCUSE ME? EXCUSE ME? [CHUCKLING] WELL, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY AND CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN, TRUSTEE GUIDRY. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO GIVE MY COLLEAGUES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENTS IF THEY SO WISH. WE'RE GOING TO START WITH TRUSTEE SANTOS DISTRICT ONE.I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE WITH US TODAY.
I'M HUMBLED AND HONORED TO BE A PART OF OUR GREAT TRADITION OF DEMOCRACY.
WHEN WE PRACTICE AND DEFEND DEMOCRACY, OUR COMMUNITIES WIN.
THIS CEREMONY IS A CELEBRATION OF THAT WIN THAT WE SHARE WITH ALL THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT ONE. AS WE TRANSITION OUR FOCUS BACK FROM BOTH CAMPAIGNING AND SERVING.
JUST BACK INTO OUR GOVERNANCE ROLES.
THE FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY CONTINUES, WE FIGHT FOR THE DREAM THAT ALL STUDENTS, WORKERS AND RESIDENTS OF OUR COMMUNITIES WILL SHARE IN THE RICH OPPORTUNITIES OUR SCHOOLS CAN PROVIDE. I WANT TO THANK SOME OF THE SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONE SO MUCH TO SO THAT DREAM INTO THE FABRIC OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
CONGRESSWOMAN SYLVIA GARCIA, WHO'S MY CONGRESSWOMAN FOR WOMEN, SHE PAVES THE WAY FOR US, FOR YOUNG LEADERS. COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA, A ROLE MODEL AND SUPPORTER AND A FELLOW NORTH SIDER TO MY FORMER COLLEAGUES, HOLLY MARIA FLYNN VILASECA AND ANNE SUNG, WE'VE DONE SO MUCH GOOD OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
WE'VE HONORED TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
WE'VE FULLY FUNDED THE AUDIT DEPARTMENT.
WE'VE ADDRESSED SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS.
WE'VE HONORED OUR STUDENTS WITH INCREASES TO MONEY DIRECTLY TO THE CLASSROOM.
WE'VE SHAPED POLICY THAT HONORS TEACHERS IN OUR PROFESSION BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING LIKE THE HEART OF A TEACHER, THE MIND OF A POLICYMAKER, THE STRENGTH AND COMMITMENT OF A MOTHER AND THE LOVE THAT WE ALL SHARE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
I'M PROUD TO CALL YOU MY FRIENDS.
THE AMAZING SANTOS FOR HISD CAMPAIGN, AND THIS IS WHY WE NEED PAPER, AND I CAN'T DO [CHUCKLING] TO THE AMAZING SANTOS FOR HISD CAMPAIGN TEAM, SARAH TERRELL, [INAUDIBLE], JOEL CISNEROS, JENNIFER RAMIREZ, VANESSA FLORES, JESUS ROMERO, CARLA CESAR, RUTH KRAVITZ, JAY MALONE, THE HFT AND THE GULF COAST AREA LABOR FEDERATION.
JACKIE ANDERSON AND I WILL SAY THAT I WOULD NOT BE WHERE I'M AT TODAY WITHOUT MY FAMILY, OUR FAMILY, MY HUSBAND MY SONS HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY PATIENT FOR OUR NEW COLLEAGUES.
YOU WILL SPEND MANY, MANY, MANY, MANY NIGHTS AWAY FROM YOUR FAMILY, COUNTLESS HOURS, SPECIAL OCCASIONS, HOLIDAYS AND IT'S YOUR FAMILY THAT'S PATIENT LIKE MINE.
KAREN AND MURRAY PENNER, MY IN-LAWS, THAT ANY TIME I CALL FOR A BABYSITTER OR JUST NEED SUPPORT, THEY'RE THERE. CLEMENTINE AND SANTIAGO SANTOS MY PARENTS, THEIR UNWAVERING SUPPORT IN HELPING US CHASE, REALIZE AND GROW OUR DREAMS AND LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, MY SON AND MY HUSBAND, RYAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT, YOUR PATIENT, YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR VALUES, LOVE AND PASSION, AND TO MOST OF ALL, EACH OTHER.
TO OUR COMMUNITY, THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO STOP TRANSPARENCY AND A RENEWED FAITH IN DEMOCRACY, THAT BELIEF THAT ALL CHILDREN AND COMMUNITIES DESERVE TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT, IN A CLASSROOM FILLED WITH LOVE AND FOR JOY AND LEARNING.
I KNOW THAT CAN BE DONE BECAUSE THE HEART OF A TEACHER, HAS THE ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO BUILD BRIDGES AND DO WHAT IS NEXT, WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR STUDENTS AND OUR COMMUNITIES.
TO MY COLLEAGUES, I'M GOING TO LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ALL.
YOU ALL ARE ALREADY AMAZING AND INCREDIBLE AND TO OUR STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND COMMUNITY,
[01:00:06]
MY PROMISE IS TO CONTINUE TO DO THE NEXT RIGHT THING.DISTRICT TWO, TRUSTEE BLUEFORD-DANIELS.
THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT, SUPERINTENDENT HOUSE AND OF COURSE, ALL MY COLLEAGUES AND I'D LIKE TO SAY WELCOME TO EVERYONE.
I'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR GODMOTHER AND FIRST LADY OF SO MANY THINGS, DR.
ALLEN A1, STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DR.
ALLEN AND I LIKE TO ACTUALLY PARTICULARLY WELCOME OUR NEW TRUSTEES.
AS YOU WILL SEE, IT LOOKS EASY FROM THE OTHER SIDE, BUT ONCE WE GET INTO THESE BOARD ROOMS IN CLOSED SESSIONS, YOU'LL SEE THAT WE FIGHT DILIGENTLY FOR ALL CHILDREN, BUT SPECIFICALLY FOR ONES IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND TO CONCERN OURSELVES, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO CONCERN OURSELVES WITH THE OBJECTIVE AND OUR OBJECTIVE IS EDUCATING CHILDREN, CLOSING THE GAPS ON STUDENT OUTCOMES BECAUSE WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO BE A PART OF THE PROBLEM BUT BECOME PART OF THE SOLUTION TO CLOSE THOSE GAPS.
ALSO, I'D LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO TRUSTEE SUNG TRUSTEE VILASECA FOR THEIR UNDYING COMMITMENT TO OUR CHILDREN AND FOR HAVING SUCH CLASS TRUSTEE SUNG WAS HERE AND SHE'S BEEN THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS AS WELL AS VILASECA AND WALKED OUR NEW TRUSTEES THROUGH THE PROCESS AND INTRODUCED THEM TO VARIOUS THINGS.
SO I THINK THAT PERSONALLY, I SAY IT OPENLY SO EVERYONE CAN HEAR.
I THINK THAT IS THE EPITOME OF CLASS, AND SO WE WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THAT, BUT THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE AND WELCOME ABOARD, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO A NEW YEAR AND NEW PROGRESS MEASURES. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. WE WILL GO DOWN TO DISTRICT SIX, TRUSTEE BAKER.
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE BOARD AND TO OUR SUPERINTENDENT AND TO THOSE THAT ARE HERE PRESENTLY AND TO THOSE THAT ARE WATCHING ONLINE, I TRULY WANT TO THANK GOD FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN DISTRICT SIX.
I CALL IT A CALLING OF SORTS TO BE IN PUBLIC SERVICE.
THIS MARKS MY 30TH PLUS YEAR IN PUBLIC SERVICE, AND WHEN I AS I WAS RUNNING FOR OFFICE IN DISTRICT SIX, I COMMITTED TO ALL FIVE TO SIX THOUSAND VOTERS IN BOTH ELECTIONS TO DO THE BEST OF MY ABILITIES TO CARRY OUT THE THINGS THAT THEY DESIRED ME TO CARRY OUT.
BUT MOST OF ALL, I NOTICED THAT WE ARE A TEAM AND WE HAVE TO WORK AS A TEAM, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THAT.
AS YOU CAN SEE MY MOM OUT THERE, HER YOUNGEST GRANDDAUGHTER, MY CHILD, THAT BABY GIRL REPRESENTS THE NEXT GENERATION AND JUST AS I LOVE MY ONLY DAUGHTER, I PLAN TO DO THAT MUCH AND MORE FOR THE 200000 STUDENTS WHO ATTEND HISD AND SO IT'S AN HUMBLING EXPERIENCE. IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
YOU HAVE MY WORD FOR INTEGRITY, YOU HAVE MY WORD FOR HONESTY, YOU HAVE MY WORD FOR HUMILITY AND LOYALTY AND TRUST.
BEING A MINISTER AND BEING IN PUBLIC SERVICE, I CAN'T SAY HOW MUCH THAT I AM THRILLED AND HOW MUCH I REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE THIS GOD GIVEN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE.
IF IT'S NOT IN YOU, IT'S NOT IN YOU, BUT IF IT'S IN YOU, IT'S IN YOU, AND I FLOW NATURALLY AT IT AND SO MR. HOUSE AND TO ALL OF THE COLLEAGUES AROUND THE TABLE, I LOOK FORWARD TO THE CHALLENGE.
I'VE BEEN WATCHING THE MEETINGS, I'VE BEEN GOING OVER THE NOTES AND I KNOW THERE IS A LOT OF WORK. THERE'S A TWO BILLION WITH A B DOLLAR BUDGET, AND I KNOW THAT THE TAXPAYERS ARE
[01:05:06]
REALLY DEPENDENT ON US TO BE GOOD STEWARDS AND MAKE SURE THAT WE MANAGE IT WELL AND SO AS I'VE ALWAYS BEEN AND I'VE ALWAYS SAID, I'M AVAILABLE 24-7, THAT'S ME.MANY TIMES DURING THE NIGHT, 3:00 A.M.
IN THE MORNING, I'M TALKING TO MY FRIENDS IN LAGOS OR IN THE UK BECAUSE OF THAT PEOPLE APPROACH, BUT I COULD SAY OUT OF ALL THE RACES I RAN, THIS ONE MEANS A LOT TO ME BECAUSE IT'S IMPACTING GENERATIONS TO COME.
WE HAVE FUTURE PRESIDENTS, FUTURE LAWYERS, FUTURE JANITORS, FUTURE ENTREPRENEURS, FUTURE HUSBANDS, WIVES, PASTORS, WHOMEVER OUT THERE THAT ARE COMING AND I AM SO, SO HAPPY TO BE A PART OF THAT NURTURING AND GROWING PROCESS.
YOU KNOW, A PREACHER CAN TALK ALL DAY, YOU KNOW, AND WE GET TO BABBLING.
SO I WON'T DO THAT, BUT I AM SO HAPPY THAT THE RESIDENTS ENTRUSTED IN ME TO SERVE THESE NEXT FOUR YEARS AND I GUARANTEE YOU ALL THAT I WILL GIVE IT MY BEST SHOT AND BE THE BEST TRUSTEE THAT YOU'VE SEEN OUT OF DISTRICT SIX.
I JUST SPEAK FOR MYSELF AND I WILL DO THE BEST I CAN TO GIVE YOU INPUT, TO IMPROVE THE READING SCORES, THE GRADES, THE TESTING TO IMPROVE OUR COMMITMENT TO TEA AND LIKE YOU ALL WANT TO DO, BRING NORMALCY BACK TO THE DISTRICT AGAIN IN GREATER PROPORTIONS. SO THANK YOU AGAIN, HONORABLE ALLEN AND ALL OF THOSE DIGNITARIES THAT ARE OUT THERE. THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING AND SO FORTH AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND THE COMMUNITY AT-LARGE AS WELL.
THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH AND DR.
DON, MY STRATEGISTS, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY AS WELL, SIR.
KENNEDY, THANK YOU, BABY GIRL.
TRUSTEE BAKER. NEXT, DISTRICT THREE TRUSTEE HERNANDEZ.
WELCOME, BIENVENIDOS, TO TRUSTEE WADE AND TRUSTEE BAKER.
THANK YOU. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH ALL OF YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE EQUITY WITHIN HISD FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW TRUSTEES.
WELCOME TO OUR REFORMED TEAM OF 10, WHERE WE'RE NINE TRUSTEES AND THE SUPERINTENDENT.
WE ARE PREPARED TO WORK TOGETHER PRODUCTIVELY FOR THE STUDENTS OF HISD FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS TOGETHER WITHOUT A CHANGE.
LET'S GET BUSY. DISTRICT FIVE TRUSTEE DEIGAARD THANK YOU.
I DIDN'T SEEK THIS POSITION FOR ME OR MY TWO CHILDREN.
I SOUGHT TO SERVE ON THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR EACH AND EVERY CHILD IN OUR DISTRICT.
THEY ARE THE FOUNDATION OF THE FUTURE OF OUR AMAZING CITY, AND THEY DESERVE FOR THEIR FOUNDATION TO BE STRONG SO THEY CAN SOAR FOR FAR TOO LONG.
I HAVE BORE WITNESS TO AN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN STAGNATED IN ADULT IDEOLOGICAL BATTLES WHILE CHILDREN LANGUISH.
WE NEED TO STOP FIGHTING AGAINST THE CHALLENGES AND COME TOGETHER AS A TEAM OF 10 AND A COMMUNITY TO WORK WITH URGENCY FOR SOLUTIONS THAT PUT CHILDREN FIRST AND GIVE THEM EACH THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE THEIR GREATEST POTENTIAL.
I BEGIN THIS NEXT CHAPTER OF MY SERVICE TO OUR STUDENTS IN THIS ROLE ON THE BOARD, COGNIZANT OF THE FACT THAT THE ELECTION LAST FALL ONLY GIVES ME THE NEXT FOUR YEARS TO SERVE THEM. THIS IS TRUE OF ANY OF US SITTING HERE AT THIS TABLE.
ON THE SURFACE, THAT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE A VERY LONG TIME.
HOWEVER, OUR KIDDOS WHO ARE IN KINDERGARTEN TODAY WILL BE IN THIRD GRADE BY THE END OF THIS. WILL THEY BE READING ON GRADE LEVEL OR NOT? BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT UNTIL THIRD GRADE, THEY ARE LEARNING TO READ, BUT AFTER THAT THEY ARE READING TO LEARN AND THERE IS NO GREATER FOUNDATION.
WE CAN GIVE OUR STUDENTS NO INVESTMENT THAT WILL GIVE US A GREATER ROI THAN LITERACY.
OUR KIDDOS WHO ARE IN THIRD GRADE TODAY WILL BE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL IN FOUR YEARS.
WILL THEY BE ON TRACK FOR SUCCESS WHEN THEY GET THERE OR NOT? AND OUR KIDDOS AND MIDDLE SCHOOL TODAY WILL BE IN HIGH SCHOOL BY THEN.
THE CHALLENGES OF CATCHING THEM UP TO GRADE LEVEL GETS EXPONENTIALLY MORE CHALLENGING, AND THEY ARE EITHER ON TRACK FOR COLLEGE OR A CAREER CERTIFICATION OR THEY AREN'T.
[01:10:01]
FINALLY, THE KIDS WHO ARE IN HIGH SCHOOL TODAY WILL BE GONE FROM OUR SYSTEM.WILL THEY HAVE HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS OR NOT? WHAT WILL THE VALUE OF THOSE DIPLOMAS BE? WELL, WE HAVE PROVIDED THEM WITH THE FOUNDATION TO LEAVE OUR SYSTEM WITH MORE THAN A PIECE OF PAPER. WILL THEY BE PREPARED NOT JUST TO ENTER A CAREER OR COLLEGE, BUT WILL THEY BE PREPARED TO BE SUCCESSFUL WHEN THEY GET THERE? FOUR YEARS MAY NOT SEEM VERY LONG, BUT IN THE EDUCATION OF A CHILD, THEY ARE SIGNIFICANT AND THEY ARE YEARS OUR STUDENTS DO NOT GET BACK.
THEY DO NOT GET A DO OVER IF WE DON'T GET IT RIGHT.
THIS IS WHAT WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE ME FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.
AS MANY OF YOU HAVE HEARD ME SAY BEFORE, I HAVE A QUOTE ON MY BULLETIN BOARD IN MY OFFICE FROM REVEREND DIXON WHEN HE SPOKE BEFORE US IN THE SPRING OF 2018.
THAT NIGHT, HE ENCOURAGED US TO BE COLLABORATORS AND NOT COMPETITORS AS A BOARD.
I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUED COLLABORATION WITH MY RETURNING COLLEAGUES TO COLLABORATING WITH MY NEW COLLEAGUES WHO ARE JOINING OUR TEAM OF 10 TODAY AND SUPPORTING OUR SUPERINTENDENT MR. HOUSE IN SOLVING THE CHALLENGES THAT CONFRONT ANY LARGE URBAN SCHOOL SYSTEM IN OUR COUNTRY AND BUILDING THE NECESSARY EDUCATIONAL MOMENTUM FOR OUR CHILDREN TO BE PREPARED FOR SUCCESS.
I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO GAVE THEIR SUPPORT AND PUT THEIR TRUST IN ME TO RETURN TO THIS BOARD. THERE WERE MORE PEOPLE THAN I CAN COUNT MORE NAMES THAN I CAN POSSIBLY THINK.
MY CLOSE FRIENDS WHO JOINED ME HERE TODAY.
YOU WERE THE GLUE THAT HELD THIS TOGETHER AND MY FAMILY, I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU KEEP LIFTING ME UP WHEN THE CHALLENGES AT HOME BECOME SO GREAT AND THE IMPACT ON YOU, BUT I AM APPRECIATIVE.
OUR DISTRICT HAS GREAT CHALLENGES AHEAD, INCLUDING THE LEARNING DISRUPTION FOR OUR STUDENTS FROM A GLOBAL PANDEMIC AND A TEACHER SHORTAGE, BUT I AM CONFIDENT THAT IF OUR BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION STRIVE TO REBUILD TRUST WITH THE PUBLIC THAT HAS BEEN LOST IN RECENT YEARS AND THAT WE LOOK TO THE FUTURE FOR INNOVATIVE WAYS TO EFFECTIVELY AND EQUITABLY EDUCATE ALL OF OUR STUDENTS AND STRIVES TOWARDS CREATING A SYSTEM THAT CHALLENGES THE STATUS QUO, A SYSTEM THAT FOCUSES ON LEARNING AND NOT JUST COMPLIANCE THAT CREATES LIFELONG LEARNERS AND NOT JUST TEST TAKERS THAT WE WILL OVERCOME THOSE CHALLENGES. REGARDLESS, THE JOURNEY AHEAD FOR OUR STUDENTS IS NOT ONE THAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED BY OUR BOARD ADMINISTRATION AND TEACHERS ALONE.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS MAKING SURE THEIR KIDS ARE IN SCHOOL EVERY DAY BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY WE SPEND OR HOW GREAT OUR TEACHERS ARE IF CHILDREN ARE NOT IN CLASS.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE OUR VOLUNTEER PHILANTHROPIC AND BUSINESS COMMUNITIES TO HELP FILL IN THE GAPS, TO DO THINGS LIKE MENTOR OUR STUDENTS AND INVEST IN INNOVATIVE IDEAS IN OUR CLASSROOMS AND SUPPORT THE EVIDENCED BASED INVESTMENTS OUR CHILDREN NEED.
I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE TO BE PARTNERS WITH ALL OF YOU TO ACHIEVE THIS VISION AND CREATE A STRONGER FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN, BECAUSE I DO STILL BELIEVE THAT WE CAN TURN HISD INTO THE LEADING EXAMPLE OF WHAT A LARGE, DIVERSE URBAN PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM CAN ACHIEVE FOR STUDENTS IN THE 21ST CENTURY.
THANK YOU. DISTRICT SEVEN TRUSTEE WADE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING THE CONFIDENCE IN ME TO.
PLACE ME IN THIS POSITION TODAY.
I WANT TO, FIRST OF ALL, THANK MY FAMILY FOR THEIR COMMITMENT.
MY FRIENDS, EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS AND I MOST LOOK FORWARD TO BEING WITH YOU ALL. GETTING TO KNOW YOU, GETTING TO WORK WITH YOU AND TO HEAR THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE, TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT EVERYONE HAS IN STORE FOR THESE KIDS.
EVERYONE HAS A WONDERFUL VOICE AND A WONDERFUL VISION OF WHAT THEY SEE FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES AND I LOOK FORWARD.
I'M HONORED AND BLESSED AND THANKFUL.
HOUSE WOULD BE HERE WITH US IN HOUSTON.
I'M THANKFUL FOR HIS COMMITMENT TO COME HERE AND SERVE US, SERVE OUR CITY AND SERVE OUR CHILDREN. I THANK YOU, DR.
ALLEN, FOR LEADING US IN THIS TIME, EVEN THOUGH IT'S BRIEF FOR THIS MINUTE, I THANK YOU FOR THIS TIME, AND I THANK YOU TO ALL THE TRUSTEES FOR THE SERVICE YOU'VE GIVEN OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS AND SO AGAIN, THANK YOU AND TO.
TO THE LORD, I'M JUST GRATEFUL THAT HE'S OFFERED THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR ME, AND HE'S LED ME TO THIS PLACE AND THROUGHOUT MY LIFE, AND I'M THANKFUL.
SO WISHING YOU ALL WISHING US ALL THE BEST IN SERVING OUR CITY AND OUR CHILDREN, MOST IMPORTANTLY IN THIS OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE.
[01:15:04]
SO THANK YOU AGAIN.THANK YOU, PRESIDENT ELLEN, BIENVENIDOS A LA MESA DIRECTIVA.
WELCOME TO THE HISD SCHOOL BOARD DEFINITELY WANT TO EXPRESS, YOU KNOW, WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU ALL AS YOU ARE BEGINNING THIS JOURNEY.
WE DO GET A LOT OF INFORMATION, BUT KNOW THAT WE ALL STAND WITH YOU.
YOU'RE DEFINITELY COMING IN AT A PIVOTAL TIME IN HISD, AND IT'S GOING TO BE UP TO US TO DETERMINE THE FUTURES OF OUR CHILDREN AND OUR KIDS DON'T HAVE TIME TO WAIT.
SO I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING AS A NEW TEAM OF 10 AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR BEING WILLING TO SERVE AND SACRIFICING YOUR TIME.
I'M GOING TO START OFF ALMOST AS TRUSTEE WADE ENDED.
FIRST, GIVING OBEDIENCE TO GOD, WHO IS THE HEAD OF MY LIFE AND I WANT TO THANK HIM FOR ONE MORE OPPORTUNITY.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, I WAS VOTED IN FOR ONE TERM AND ACTUALLY FOR ONE YEAR TO COMPLETE A TERM AND I CAN SAY TO MY NEW COLLEAGUES, IT IS A HUGE LEARNING CURVE.
IT'S A LOT OF INFORMATION, BUT TOGETHER, AS A TEAM OF 10, WE CAN GET THROUGH THIS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS OPPORTUNITY OF FOUR COMPLETE YEARS FOR US TO GROW TOGETHER, TO LEARN TOGETHER, TO MAKE GREAT DECISIONS FOR OUR CHILDREN TOGETHER AND TO COLLABORATE ON THE THINGS AS YOU ALL KNOW.
MEDIATION IS MY FORTE, AND SO I DO LOOK FORWARD TO HELPING THIS GROUP AND MEDIATING AS WE WALK THROUGH THIS ADVENTURE WE HAVE FOR 2022.
THIS LAST YEAR HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT FOR US, BUT GUESS WHAT? WE KEPT IT TOGETHER AND I LOOK FORWARD TO US CONTINUING TO KEEP IT TOGETHER.
ON BEHALF OF OUR CHILDREN AND ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITIES, LET ME THANK MY COMMUNITY WHO SAW FIT TO ALLOW ME TO SERVE THE FOUR YEAR TERM.
MY FAMILY, WHO STOOD BY ME AND PROTECTED ME AND WATCHED OVER ME AND GAVE ME WHAT I NEEDED WHEN I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I NEEDED AND TO MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO SHOWED UP TODAY, MY CHURCH MEMBERS, MY PASTOR, [INAUDIBLE] PASTOR.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR LOVE BECAUSE WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT AND LOVE, WE COULD NOT DO THIS. NONE OF US COULD DO THIS BECAUSE IT DOES TAKE A LOT OUT OF OUR LIVES, BUT WE'RE WILLING TO DO IT BECAUSE WE BELIEVE OUR CHILDREN ARE WORTH IT AND EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US WERE HERE BECAUSE WE BELIEVE NOT ONLY THAT THE CHILDREN ARE WORTH IT, BUT THIS CITY AND OUR COMMUNITIES ARE WORTH GIVING OUR VERY BEST.
SO MR. RON JACKSON MY CAMPAIGN [INAUDIBLE].
I APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH AND ALL OF THE REST OF YOU ALL WHO CAME OUT AND LET ME APOLOGIZE. THE OTHER GROUPS GOT TO GO RIGHT AFTER TO THE RECEPTION, BUT YOU ALL HAVE HAD TO STAY. SO I'M GOING TO LET YOU GO IF IT'S OK WITH OUR PRESIDENT TO SO THAT YOU ALL CAN GET YOUR REFRESHMENTS.
PLEASE DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT DOING SO BECAUSE WE HAVE ENOUGH BACK THERE AND WE WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL. THANK YOU, BOARD, PRESIDENT ELLEN.
I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOU AND MR. HOUSE AS WELL. THANK YOU.
I'D LIKE TO NOW INVITE OUR SUPERINTENDENT TO GIVE COMMENTS AT THIS TIME.
THANK YOU, DR. ALLEN AND FIRST OF ALL, CONGRATULATIONS TO EACH OF YOU THAT RECENTLY WENT THROUGH THE ELECTION PROCESS.
I'D LIKE TO OFFICIALLY NOT ONLY CONGRATULATE YOU BUT INDOCTRINATE YOU INTO THE WORK.
[CHUCKLING] SO ON WEDNESDAY, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING MY FIRST SIT-DOWN CONVERSATION, OF COURSE, WITH WITH KENDALL AND BRIDGET, BUT ALSO ALL BOARD MEMBERS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR KIND OF THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS OUR STRATEGIC WORK.
A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT STEP THAT I BELIEVE WILL LEAD US TO A VERY STRONG FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN.
THIS IS WHAT YOU'VE BEEN WAITING ON.
THIS IS WHAT THE TEAM HIRED ME FOR.
SO I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT BRINGING THESE NEXT STEPS TO OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS, BRINGING THESE NEXT STEPS TO TRUSTEES AND BRINGING IT TO OUR COMMUNITY.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE.
THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO NOW INVITE TRUSTEE GUIDRY AND HER GUESTS TO PICK UP REFRESHMENTS AND ROOM 1EO1, WHICH IS AROUND THE CORNER TO THE LEFT.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY AND CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN TO THE NEW AND RETURNING
[01:20:05]
TRUSTEES. THERE BEING NO OTHER BUSINESS, THIS MEETING--EXCUSE ME, POINT OF ORDER, PLEASE . PRIVILEGE. I FORGOT TO THANK STATE REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN FOR COMING IN TODAY AND SWEARING ME IN, AND I JUST WANT TO KNOW.I WANT YOU TO KNOW, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU FOR COMING IN.
THANK YOU. TRUSTEE BLUEFORD-DANIELS.
I FAILED TO MENTION, TOO, THAT I WANTED TO THANK MY BOSS, STATE SENATOR MILES, FOR ALLOWING ME THE LENIENCY TO BE HERE A LOT OF TIMES, BUT I WANTED TO TELL YOU TO PRESIDENT ALAN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE THIS LAST YEAR.
THANK YOU FOR EXPEDITING THE MEETINGS, HAVING A VISION AND ENSURING THAT EVEN I AND YOU ALL WILL UNDERSTAND WHY I SAID THAT LATER ON, [CHUCKLING] STUCK TO THE SCRIPT AND WE APPRECIATE YOU AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY PERSONALLY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
SOME THINGS I'VE LISTEN TO AND SOME THINGS NOT TO DR.
A1 AS YOU KNOW, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
THERE BEING NO OTHER BUSINESS, THIS MEETING IS NOW OFFICIALLY ADJOURNED AT 1:37 P.M.
THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.