During the past several weeks, there has been growing community opposition to Houston Independent School District’s current $805 million dollar bond proposal. Resistence to the bond proposal has primarily been based on HISD’s lack of broad based community consultation prior to structuring the bond package as it relates to school closures, consolidation, repair and the construction of new K-8 grade schools.
Even after HISD Superintendent Abe Saavedra made some changes in the bond package, community opposition has still not ended.
For the Houston Citizens’ Chamber of Commerce, HISD’s bond proposal is both an education improvement and economic opportunity package.
In addition to the concerns expressed by the community over consultation, school closures, consolidation, repair and new construction, the Houston Citizens’ Chamber of Commerce is also concerned about how fairly bond funds will be spent.
We would like to hear specific details from HISD on how much money from its two prior bond packages (1998 and 2002) has been spent with Houston based African-American, Hispanic, Asian and women owned businesses and entrepreneurs.
What are the District’s plans and procedures for ensuring that all qualified local businesses will have a fair chance of doing business with the District if the newest bond proposal is approved by the voters? How will the District make sure that those who receive a contract are treated fairly and paid on time?
An outstanding education system is one of the cornerstones to the long term strength and prosperity of our City, but so too is shared prosperity.
This issue of equal access to economic opportunities to ensure shared prosperity throughout our community must not just be a part of the conversation about the HISD bond proposal, but all the conversations in corporate board rooms and executive suites in the public, private and non-profit sectors across our region. Economic inclusion is the key to our community’s and nation’s long term success in this new century.
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