Use comment tag below to express your opinion.
houstonisdwatch wants to hear from you, especially from HISD insiders.
HISD bond proposal draws some harsh comments from a few citizens at a Meyerland Area
Democrats Club meeting
Trustees unanimously adopt new ethics rules
*Are they specific enough to be effective?
*Are the penalties strong enough to deter misbehavior?
*Should we praise them for going above and beyond the state minimum?
From Education Grrrrl:
Hey School Board Members!
Get over yourselves!!! Stop yapping about "ethics"---just do the right thing and then get on to
making HISD a decent district again.
But, it is ALL about you all, right? It's really not about the kids? It's about your nice, comfy office
at W. 18th. It's about your re-election. It's about how you know---not what you know.
Get over it. Get out there. Do some work for a change or else...let's see---2000 student loss this
year? Bet it picks up next year and the next---until HISD is just one district to note among KIPP,
YES Prep and the private schools. Get a clue! Wake up!
by Education Grrrrl (Sep 14, 2012)
HISD fires up some ammo on bond; hires former administrator Veleska to
"manage activities related to bond" at a salary of $50,000 for three months
but there is no organized opposition to the bond at this time
From ????????:
HISD Superintendent Terry Grier has approved a $50,000, three-month contract with a retired
district employee to manage activities related to the school district’s bond issue in November.
The school board is scheduled to ratify the contract with Ronnie Veselka at its meeting Thursday
evening
I like Mr. Veselka he was my high school principal at Lamar (Go Redskins) but come on really..... the
district can always find money for what it wants except true raises for it's teachers
by ???????? (Sep 14, 2012)
Trustees listen to concerns from 12-month employees & HFT over salary payback requirement
Chron.com front page article link: "HISD grants leeway to over-paid teachers"
Inside headline uses "grants leeway in payroll issue"
See these pages from tonight's school board agenda
Grier uses serious trustee ethics issues as a way to enchance his power
Thanks to blogger ?????????? for pointing out two important lines in the
Proposed Revisions to Board Policies (item B-2)
Grier has hijacked this board the following are from this months board agenda on ethics for the board......
I mean really. I shall avoid personal involvement in activities the Board has delegated to the Superintendent.
Delegate authority for the administration of the school to the Superintendent. 9.11. I shall endeavor to make
policy decisions only after full discussion at publicly held Board meetings, rendering all decisions based on
the (available) facts rather than supposition,opinion, or public favor. I shall share my views while working
by ?????????? (Sep 10, 2012)
Budget Reduction Guide used at the end of the 2010-2011 school year
HISD's disruption & chaos caused by "Employment Areas for Reduction in Force"
Back on March 7, 2011, as required by board policy, HISD identified employment
areas affected by a reduction in force
The memorandum is five pages long but includes only one page of central office
cuts without any staff above the level of manager. No assistant superintendents,
School Improvement Officers, Chief School Officers. Mangers in curriculum,
special populations, and certification were hit.
Grier's reduction in force was his attempt to eviscerate, with wide latitude granted
to his principal-surrogates in determining whom to eject, just enough of HISD's
core teaching staff to incite fear and compliance.
The well-funded teacher's union was really the only force that could oppose Grier.
As theLimbrick-Sanders' papers prove, the union did try to save individual
member's positions against long odds.
Did the union do enough? Did the union spell out to the city of Houston just
how these cuts would hurt the students of HISD? Was there any fire in
the belly of the union to take on Grier? Or was there, perhaps, some implicit
agreement between Grier and union leadership to fight individual battles, but
not make the larger, more compelling public relations argument that the
greater good was harmed, especially when there were no cuts proposed in
Grier's hand-picked team of duputies?
From HISD Teacher:
Every once in awhile Ms. Fallon responds on this site to defend herself. What I am seeing through
teacher comments, and alas, it is true is that the union really has nothing to offers. Thousands of
teachers in HISD hae been displaced, penalized, or destroyed by the Apollo program. Literally hundreds
of teachers have run away from HISD. Ms. Fallon will have to prove herself and the union to get more
support from many of us. She cites individual cases while we know hundreds more that the HFT has
not helped. Until there are loud voices in HFT, and some kind of promotion for fighting back, HFT seems
entirely useless. What good is it? Where have we seen them take on HISD? HISD has craftily set about
the paper work since Grier has been here, to be prepared for teacher protest, individual or other wise.
For those of you that keep supporting HIFT, I am going to guess you have never needed them for your job.
I want to hear from teachers where HFT has done SOMETHING to counterattack what Grier has set in
motion. I see Community Voices has organized some, but that is all to see for the hundreds spent on HFT.
by HISD Teacher (Sep 12, 2012)
HISD's way to motivate teachers: Pay fewer teachers more bonus money
Ex HISD Teacher found HFT leadership to be very ineffective
Why is Gayle still "in charge" of the union? She was compromised, corrupted, and ineffective 15 years
ago when I was a member. Is that ... Andy number 2. What about ZAPH what a ...!! When I
needed them they didn't show up. If an organization with no bargaining power and 2 competing representative
organizations is to be effective, she and and her .... son and entourage must move on. Austin
achieved it. There is no reason other than Gayle that an organization that represents teachers can't succeed.
by EX HISD teacher (Sep 11, 2012)
Is this what discipline in Grier's HISD has come to? Students hitting teachers?
A student hitting a teacher is a serious incident that merits a serious response. Although the problem
occurs infrequently, when it does occur, it can dramatically alter the climate of the classroom and leave
its imprint on the teacher and students.
Being struck or threatened by a student can undermine a teacher's authority -- especially if the teacher
loses control when reacting to the experience -- and it can frighten other students. Teachers have an opportunity
through their handling of such a situation to demonstrate their authority and control, and to restore a sense of
security and calm among students.
In deciding how to respond, teachers need to consider the nature of the incident, the student's age, and his intent.
There is a marked difference between a six-year old child who, in the course of a tantrum, flails his arms and
accidentally hits the teacher, and an 11-year old who strikes a teacher with the intent of hurting her. The latter
situation clearly calls for a more serious response.
Continue reading Dr. Ken Shore's response.
From Golfcrest:
When is it ok for a student to hit or kick a teacher??? Seems its ok. seeen it with own eyes. NO EXCUSES!
Teachers should feel just as safe as the students should.
by Golfcrest (Sep 11, 2012)
Popular Edison Principal Javier O. Villarreal reported to be heading to Fort Bend ISD
From Houston Texas:
ust got word from a friend of mine in Fort Bend ISD that the principal from Edison MS is
going to Fort Bend as the new Assistant Superintendent of Schools. Everyone flying the
coop from HISD.
by Houston Texan (Sep 11, 2012)
Edison Teacher praises Mr. Villarreal
Javier Vilareal leaving is a huge loss. He should have been promoted within our own district
by EdisonTeacher (Sep 12, 2012)
Edison Parent:
Mr Villarreal is a huge loss to HISD.
by Edison Parent (Sep 11, 2012)
Greater Houston Partnership a tool of Wall Street; only cares about enriching
its membership at the expense of taxpayers and the students of HISD
********************************************************************************************
If you vote yes for HISD's over-priced, waste-infused bond, you are voting
yes to the pernicious tactics the Grier administration has been using for
three years to quash dissent. You are voting to strip teachers of even
more rights; you are voting to increase the misplaced focus on standardized
tests; you are voting for the kindy of shoddy workmanship that characterizes
the 2007 bond project.
You are voting to enchance the power of HISD's power-hungry media relations
department that appears to be practicing a scortched-earth approach to
silencing HISD critics. Watching Ari Fleischer trying to defend the Bush
administration last night reminded me of HISD's spin department. Of
course, the incidents in question are far, far different in scope but the
end results in many ways are the same: Lives of vital individuals are being
ruined.
You are supporting the current HISD school board which is 99% backbone free.
Why Chicago teachers are striking
I have a great idea.....I think Grier and many of his "wonderful" Principals like Davila, Bellard, Winn,
and others should go up to Chicago and "bully those bad teachers" back into their classrooms or
terminate them all! LOL I would love to see some of these "so-called" effective leaders try to do
what they did to teachers here up there!?!? They got away with it here because Texas won't let the
teachers walkout and these people know it! They can only be effective when they're being allowed
to bully teachers who truly have NO RIGHTS
by Marc (Sep 9, 2012)
More on HFT from Call it a day!:
Everyone keeps asking for Gayle to "do something" or go back to the day when she "would stand up
for the teachers and support staff in the district". But yet, she doesn't respond. So what is it that you
are doing for all of us Gayle? We pay our dues, FOR WHAT??!! Why don't you quit spending all your time
trying to wheel and deal behind the scenes to keep CEP in business and focus on what your real job
should be, representing US! If you're not going to do it, then maybe it's time to pass the baton and let
someone that wants and has the desire to stand up FOR US!!!!!
by Call it a day!! (Sep 10, 2012)
Feeling the heat, Grier's administrators find students to give the Houston
Chronicle an opportunity to praise the district; Buried until the
last sentence is this: "HISD still has to recruit more than 2,200 students to hit
its official state enrollment count from last October: 202,911"
Testing companies like Pearson are robbing our students of an education
and making big money in the process
HISD schedules bond information meetings
Monday, Sept. 24 – Booker T. Washington High School (119 E. 39th Street)
Monday, Sept. 24 – Bellaire High School (5100 Maple, Bellaire)
Thursday, Sept. 27 – Davis High School (1101 Quitman)
Thursday, Sept. 27 – Dowling Middle School (14000 Stancliff)
Monday, Oct. 1 – Lee High School (6529 Beverly Hill)
Monday, Oct. 1 – Milby High School (1601 Broadway)
Tuesday, Oct. 2 – Sharpstown High School (7504 Bissonnet)
Tuesday, Oct. 2 – Yates High School (3703 Sampson)
Thursday, Oct. 4 – Austin High School (1700 Dumble)
Thursday, Oct. 4 – Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th Street).
The Hattie Mae White session will be broadcast live on HISD TV, Comcast cable channel 18,
and AT&T Uverse channel 99.
12 Month Employee Compensation Payback
Melinda Garrett, HISD's C.F.O., listening to employee feedback, cancels
information sessions:
From Garrett's email:
We've been listening to your concerns about the payroll reconciliation that affects approximately 3,500
HISD employees. I wanted to let you know we are developing new solutions based on that feedback, and
will be bringing additional options for repayment to the Board of Education on Thursday for consideration.
These new options will provide more flexibility to employees, especially those who have insufficient leave
time and would face financial hardship.
Until we can move forward on these new options, all scheduled informational sessions will be postponed.
Any employees who have contacted payroll for an individual consultation may want to delay those meetings
until more information about these new options is available. If you have already submitted the form you
received by mail, there's no need to worry—the October deadline is postponed until further notice, and new,
updated forms will be furnished to all affected employees at a later date. You may then choose to re-file
using the new form, or keep the same selection(s).
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to look for ways to lessen the impact of
this reconciliation on our employees.
Melinda Garrett
Chief Financial Officer
Lunceford, Stipeche stress need for tighter ethics rules to govern board
members' vendor relationships; Harris, Marshall not quoted in
chron.com's report.
HISD's former S.I.O. Mark Bedell recommended by Baltimore County Public Schools
to be Assistant Superintendent, High School
Bedell's position has just been created by BCPS, he will join Dallas Dance
(Doing a search of Dallas ISD's website, I found no mention of Mark Bedell.)
EFFECTIVE TEACHERS INITIATIVE KEEPS GRIER'S EDUCRATS BUSY WITH
ADMINISTRIVIA AND WASTES TAX DOLLARS
Wasting teachers time and turning off kids and parents - Grier's education
reforms are failing, will continue to fail; Did HFT issue a statement of condemnation?
If so, we missed it....
and this just came out... now wouldn't our time be better spent working on lessons for class, evaluating and
tutoring students? Eventually there is no more time left at night... one has to get at least 4 hours of sleep sometime.
Most recent information just sent out from the Effective Teacher Initiative regarding getting ready for the evaluation
process and putting our student's in a "bucket" for predictive performance on standardized tests:
"Resources on Student Performance · Click here for a list of the top questions from teachers and administrators
about the Student Performance component of the appraisal and development system. If you have a question on
either the Student Performance component or the new technological tools, please email helpdesk@houstonisd.org. ·
HISD has set up a series of in-person trainings this fall for teachers on various Student Performance topics, including
Comparative Growth, setting starting points and goals, and creating high-quality assessments. Please sign up if you
would like additional support. · New pre-approved district assessments have been added in Government, Economics,
Physical Education, Foundations of Personal Fitness, and Team & Individual Sports. For a full list of assessments
and instructions for accessing the assessment blueprints, please click here. Measure Assignment Process Over
the new few weeks, appraisers are selecting teachers’ Student Performance measures using the online Student
Performance tool. When your measures have been selected, you will receive an email from the tool asking you
to acknowledge your measures. The process is very simple, and will require logging in to the Student Performance
tool at this link: www.houstonisd.org/teacherappraisal. You can find a detailed navigation guide here. Please be sure
to acknowledge your measures by September 28th. 2012-13 Teacher Appraisal and Development System Manual
Have a question about the appraisal and development system? Want to familiarize yourself with this year’s timeline?
Click here to download a PDF copy of this year’s appraisal and development system manual. "
by Heidi (Sep 10, 2012)
Education reforms proposed by Chicago mayor have three problems:
Test based evaluation and merit pay
Charter schools
Longer school day
Read Valerie Strauss' report at washingtonpost.com.
Texas Watchdog reports: T.E.A. refuses to answer questions
The Dallas Morning News notices the same thing we do: Dealing with the Texas Education Agency is
much less pleasant than it used to be, especially when it comes to getting public records.
“With all the turnover at the state education agency, including a new commissioner, the communications
staff is under a new directive that keeps information from the public and the news media,” the Morning
News reports. “Spokespeople now aren’t allowed to provide updates to the public about TEA investigations
or complaints sent to the agency.”
Continue reading Steve Miller's report.
Everyone keesp asking for Gayle to" do something...."
Everyone keeps asking for Gayle to "do something" or go back to the day when she "would stand up
for the teachers and support staff in the district". But yet, she doesn't respond. So what is it that you
are doing for all of us Gayle? We pay our dues, FOR WHAT??!! Why don't you quit spending all your time
trying to wheel and deal behind the scenes to keep CEP in business and focus on what your real job
should be, representing US! If you're not going to do it, then maybe it's time to pass the baton and let
someone that wants and has the desire to stand up FOR US!!!!!
by Call it a day!! (Sep 10, 2012)
While Chicago's teacher union says enough is enough, HFT continues to
draw criticism
Is there someone out there, maybe an attorney, that can help those of us on 12 month contracts with this
payroll reconciliation mess? Hello HFT? Gayle Fallon? Anyone?!?!?!?! We may work here at west 18th, but
most of us don't make the big salaries - help!
by HISD employee (Sep 10, 2012)
"Gayle..maybe you should catch one of those flights to Chicago..."
Wow! the teacher's union understands the reality of evaluations from Standardized exams... Hello Gayle?
Maybe you should catch one of those flights to Chicago where you can hear the same thing we have been
telling you too. It looks like it is going to be too late for us... too bad you didn't stand up for your teachers, Gayle!
How much were you promised? your son? perks maybe? just to look the other way and ignore the hours of
paperwork this is causing and the attacks against excellent teachers in inner city schools. Lucky for the
teachers in Chicago.... their union boss is standing up for them! From the most recent update on the strike
in Chicago...
"Emanuel said two main issues remain: his proposal that teachers be evaluated based in part on student
performance on standardized tests, and more authority for school principals. Union President Karen Lewis,
who has sharply criticized Emanuel, said standardized tests do not take into account inner city poverty as
well as hunger and violence in the streets.
Union officials said more than a quarter of Chicago public school teachers could lose their jobs if they are
evaluated based on the tests. "Evaluate us on what we do, not the lives of our children we do not control,"
Lewis said in announcing the strike."
by Heidi (Sep 10, 2012)
Linda Bellard failed the most basic requirement of a
principal: To know her students
"I WANT TO KILL MYSELF; THE KIDS KEEP TEASING ME"
Investigation of Linda Bellard at Blackshear Elementary School
This is what the student (name deleted in Texas Open Records Act
request response) said: "I want to kill myself because the kids
keep teasing me"
When questioned whether she (Bellard) had any knowledge about (student) being
the subject of negative student to student interactions involving (student), Bellard
stated
it first came to her attention on March 24, 2010, when (student) jumped
into the vine covered flower bed and was brought to the office by Instructional
Coordinator Sheryl Lewis who informed her that (student) purportedly jumped
in an effort to harm himself.
Scope of Callier & Garza, L.L.P. report
"Consistent with an investigative assignment received on April 5, 2010, concerning
the environment at Blackshear Elementary School resulting in a student jumping
from the second floor balcony into a vine covered flower bed on March 24, 2010.
Whether administrators/teachers at Blackshear Elementary School failed to
recognize persistent negative student to student interaction (
bullying) and con-
comitantly failed to reduce the likelihood of a student feeling that they were the
object of persistent negative interactions such that the student (seeking to
draw attention to being the object of negative interactions) sought attention
by jumping from a second floor balcony into a vine covered flower bed;
whether a "
culture of bullying" existed at Blackshear Elementary School;
whether any student complained about persistent negative student to student
interactions (
bullying); whether any parent complained about persistent
negative student to student interactions (bullying); whether support personnel
at Blackshear Elementary School "
were terrified for their jobs"; whether the
suicide contract wa
s explained to student; and whether District protocols
were followed.
In 2009-2010 Blackshear's enrollment was 424 students. Second grade teacher
Alexis Adams noted in her report that (student) was eager to learn, came to school
with hygiene issues, and was quiet when she taught him as a first grader at
J. Will Jones Elementary School.
At Blackshear, (student) showed acting out behaviors. At Blackshear, "Adams
noted that (student) was in a corner with fists clinched, refusing to move and
'in a rage.'" There was yet another demonstration of (student's) rage at Blackshear.
In a school of 424 students, Linda Bellard did not know, or bother to find out,
the cause of this student's rage. The report notes that (student) visited the
nurse's office frequently. Yet Bellard never bothered to inquire about the
nurse's regulars, never seemed to care about anything accept maintaining
an
Acceptable TEA rating.
Bellard's failure to know her students and offer assistance on the personal
issues facing her students, is inexcusable. This is the kind of culture which,
unfortunately, permeates too much of HISD. Schools are not factories in the
third world. Grier cannot be allowed to perpetuate a climate where suicide
notes, followed up with suicide attempts, are mere distractions from the
real goal of test score improvement.
Although the report bought and paid for by HISD cleared Bellard, she is still
guilty of reprehensible behavior for a school administrator.
C'mon you Grier butt kissers and houstonisdwatch haters - Defend
Bellard on this one. I can't wait to read what you have to say.
HISD "individual" at Bellaire being treated for TB
Dear Parents,
I recently met with representatives from the City of Houston Health Department. They informed me that an
individual at our school is being evaluated and treated for a suspected case of tuberculosis (TB). Fortunately,
the individual is recovering and feeling much better.
According to the health officials, tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that can be contagious if it becomes an
active disease; however, it is a difficult disease to catch because it is only spread through the air and the
environmental conditions need to be just right. Casual contact is generally not sufficient for transmission
of the TB bacteria.
At this time, we have not identified any other person on our campus with symptoms of TB. We are taking
this situation seriously and will be working closely with the Houston Health Department to identify any
student or staff that should be tested for TB infection.
Determination of who needs testing is based on the type of exposure a student or staff has had to the sick
individual. If your child is recommended for testing, a separate letter and consent form will be sent home next
week.
Houston Health Department officials will be on campus on Thursday, September 13 at 6:00 p.m. in the
science conference center, to give a presentation to parents about tuberculosis and answer any questions
you might have.
Additional information about tuberculosis can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
website
here.
Grier has absolute authority over principal placements, so why should he be bothered about
logical selections?
Okay, so the woman going back to Westside is no big deal BUT please someone explain to me the logic
here. This woman was ahigh school English/debate teacher who inturn became a high school asst principal
at Westside which is fine so far, BUT why the heck was she EVER placed in an elementary school to begin
with when ALL her training and experience was at the high school level? What did she know about elementary
in the first place? Nothing ahainst her but it would be like placing a kindergarten teacher who now has his/her
degree in a high school. This is what is wrong with HISD leadership, people placed in area they really shouldn't
be because of teaching experience and training! High school is a heck of a lot different than elementary and
vice versus so again these moves are continually making a complete mess out of HISD and Grier is the
biggest problem. HE himself doesn't qualify as an effective leader AND he IS truly lucky he is as old as he
is because with his record and ineffectiveness as a leader in the many districts he has left in ruins, he
would be fired if he were to be judged by his own standards!
by WTF (Sep 9, 2012)
Another S.I.O. is outta here!
From Flew the Coop:
Well, another one bites the dust. High School SIO Mark Bedell is outta here. He was one of the
good ones, they say. "They" does not include Grier. Let's see who takes his place.
by Flew the Coop (Sep 9, 2012)
HISD's dog and pony show continues: Grier wakes up sleepy student, encourages her
to go back to school; All soap & good vibes from HISD's Houston Chronicle Department
Hmmm, I wonder if Mr. Haydon is planning to do any follow up, for example, giving us
the actual number of dropouts contacted and the number of students from that group
who return to finish their diplomas...It won't be hard to find as HISD is required by
T.E.A. to catalog and keep that information. But why let facts get in the way when you
can writea a story about HISD's "Good father Grier" waking up a sleeping teen-ager.
This article appeared in HISD's Houston Chronicle the same day the results of a
survey, paid for by a pro-HISD bond group, were released. The pro-HISD bond
group reported a majority (of, what, like 600 hundred citizens polled in a city
of four million?) of Houstonians support the bond.
How does HISD generate this wonderful P.R. in our local newspaper?
So c'mon, you teacher-haters and houstonisdwatch bashers: Let's hear you
defend HISD...we are all waiting....
No contract on Settegast Building? from Anagke:
Well, if there is 2007 bond money left over, then why are they trying to nickel-and-dime Carnegie
Vanguard out of their art building?? Last I heard, there was NO contract currently in place to finish the
the Settegast Building.
by Anagke (Sep 4, 2012)
For those of us who did know anything about the Settegast Building on the
new Carnegie Vanguard campus in midtown, here is some information:
HISD's promise to restore the Art Deco building
Settegast Building in Houstonarchitecture.com
Item F-1 "Authority to negotiate, execute, and amend a contract with the
W.A. Robbins Construction Company, Inc., for the renovation of the Settegast
Building on the Carnegie Vanguard High School Campus" was withdrawn on
8/2/2012 from the 8/9/2012 board agenda.
12 month employee salary reconcilliation process approved without discussion
by trustees at August 9, 2012 meeting
Questions
1) Why require employees to pay back money now since the problem is a result of the
conversion to People Soft in 1999-2000?
2) HISD's Payroll Department anticipated a decade ago that HISD would eventually
be advancing a full month's salary given the "normal shifts in the yearly calendar."
Why did they wait until August 9, 2012, to ask for repayment?
3) Do 12-month employees have any room for appeal? The reconcilliation process had been
reviewed and approved by HISD's attorneys.
Board items G-4:
"In the 1999-2000 school year, the Houston Independent School District (HISD) converted to
PeopleSoft Payroll Solution. . .To pay all employees on the new biweekly schedule, the district
chose to schedule the 26th pay period to end in August for both the 12-month and less-than-
12-month employee duty schedules. . .Since the adoption of the new payment schedule, and
due to the normal shifts in the yearly calendar, duty schedules, and pay dates, the number
of days of advanced salary payments has increased almost every year. Consequently,
the 26th pay check for the 2011-2012 school year for 12-month employees coincides with
the pay period ending August 5, 2012..."
Texas Watchdog could be gone for good
houstonisdwatch received notice from Texas Watchdog that the Franklin Center
for Government and Public Integrity, the major funding source for TWD, may
stop underwriting the project, citing insufficient local funds for the project.
Bond backers find 610 people to poll, announce "majority support bond"
This item is buried in paragraph seven of Ericka Mellon's chron.com report:
"...The poll was funded by a political action committee that supports the HISD bond measure. The
phone survey, conducted in late August and early September, included 610 registered voters in HISD..."
Read Ericka Mellon's report.
GRIER MOVES ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL TO WESTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL
Grier announces new principal for Westside High School
From: Grier, Terry B
Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2012 3:29 PM
To: Chiefs; tgSIO; High School Principals; Middle School Principals; Elementary School Principals
Subject: FW: New Westside HS Principal
Board Members--
I am pleased to announce that Marguerite “Peggi” Stewart has been selected as the new principal of
Westside High School. She will be replacing Michael McDonough; recently appointed principal at
Bellaire High School.
Ms. Stewart earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Southwest Texas State University and her
Masters of Education Administration and Supervision from the University of Houston. She has been the
principal at Kolter Elementary School since 2008. Under her leadership Kolter received multiple acknowledgements
including consistently being rated a TEA Exemplary and NCEA Higher Performing School.
Peggi is familiar with Westside High—having served as Associate Principal at the school from 2002-2008.
Prior to that assignment, she served as a English and Speech/Debate teacher at Springwoods High School
from 1993–2002.
We are beginning the process of working with the Kolter community to find a principal to replace Peggi.
--Terry Grier
houstonisdwatch bloggers respond to Ms. Stewart's appointment:
This ought to be interesting to see how Ms. Stewart works at Westside...I am a grad of Spring Woods, and
I was never impressed with her. As I also recall, her first year at Spring Woods was 94, not 93...but perhaps
I ignored her the first year LOL. Here's hoping she's a better admin than she was a teacher...
by HISD Peon (Sep 7, 2012)
"..best possible decision..."
This was the best possible decision for Westside High School. Ms. Stewart is a phenomenal leader and she
really understands our school. I fully support Ms. Stewart and I know she is going have a very positive impact on
our school and community!
by WHSWolf (Sep 7, 2012)
"...sound instructional leader..."
Peggi is a sound instructional leader who understands the dynamics and need at Westside. Kolter is at a level
to where it can sustain its performance...so this choice was right on. Know the truth behind the story before all
of you begin to post meaningless and irrational comments. You have your issues with Grier for a variety of things,
but this should not be one of them. Way to go Westside! You have someone good coming in!
by Houston Native (Sep 8, 2012)
More musical chairs means less stability
When is this disrict ging to stop playing "musical chairs" and just moving the "chosen" few from one school to another?
If the principal Grier moved to Westside is so wonderful, why didn't he leave her where she was? He needs to stop
uprooting people and causing so much mess across the district! It is not helping and maybe that is exactly why the
scores are down and they are begging the state to get them out of the NCLB so they can "look" more acceptable with
the bond issue around the corner!?!
by Let the music Play (Sep 8, 2012)
Impossible transition from elementary school to high school?
Grier places elementary principal at Westside HS! Is anyone really surprise by yet another dumb move by him?!?!?!
All I can say is.....really! This guy continues to prove that he truly is the biggest joke in the city!
by WOW (Sep 7, 2012)
Contact: Editor@houstonisdwatch.com
Link to previous pages.
Link to AEIS reports, Open Records reports, and more.
Use comment tag to express your opinion. houstonisdwatch
wants to hear from you, especially from HISD insiders.
