TEA official at pre-HISD takeover public meeting: 'This is a temporary intervention'

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) held a public meeting on Thursday in which it fielded questions about its upcoming takeover of the Houston Independent School District (HISD), according to reports from Houston-based media outlets. 

With a student enrollment of close to 200,000, HISD earned the unwanted distinction in March as the first large, public urban school district to fall under state control.

Houston NBC affiliate KPRC reported that the TEA revealed its takeover plan, which includes the replacement of the duly elected HISD Board of Education with a board of managers of which the members are to be appointed by the state agency.

KPRC reported that current Superintendent Millard House II, who will also be replaced by the TEA, fielded questions about the change.

The takeover of HISD was years in the making, with the district alleged to have yielded low academic performance.

A matter that was discussed during the meeting was who the TEA will name superintendent.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner claimed on social media on May 13 that TEA Commissioner Mike Morath has tabbed ex-Dallas Independent School District (DISD) superintendent Mike Miles to lead HISD in place of the soon-to-be ousted House.

The TEA responded by saying a decision on a new leader hasn’t been made.

Steve Lecholop, the agency’s deputy commissioner for governance, reiterated the stance at the meeting, per a report from Houston FOX affiliate KRIV.

"The appointment of the superintendent is squarely the decision of the commissioner, and today I'm not going to engage in any speculation or rumor," Lecholop told one of the outgoing trustees, KRIV reported. He added that the district, one of the largest in the U.S., won’t be part of the vetting process.

Houston ABC affiliate KTRK reported that the meeting wasn’t as heated as the previous ones. 

According to the station, Lecholop said the soon-to-be replaced trustees can aid the HISD Board of Managers in advisory roles if they so choose. 

"I would encourage you to share your vision, your values, your concerns and really partner with them to help define and develop what they're going to implement," he said. 

In response to purportedly terse comments from some of the trustees, KTRK reported, Lecholop countered that it’s important for the board to stay engaged.

"This is a temporary intervention,” he said. “The board will return to elected leadership.”