The Texas Supreme Court has cleared the way for the state to potentially take control of the Houston Independent School District, which state officials say has been plagued by mismanagement and low academic performance at one of its high schools.
The Texas Tribune reports that the state Supreme Court sided with Texas Education Agency (TEA) and threw out an injunction that blocked the takeover saying it isn’t appropriate under the new law.
TEA Commissioner Mike Morath first moved to take over the district’s school board in 2019 in response to allegations of misconduct by board members and years of low performance at Phillis Wheatley High School.
The Houston district sued and, in 2020, a Travis County district judge granting a temporary injunction that blocked the plan.
The TEA argued last year before he Supreme Court that a 2021 law — which went into effect after the case was first taken to court — allows for a state takeover.
Houston School Superintendent Millard House II said the district’s legal team is reviewing the court’s ruling.
To read the ruling, click here.
