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Please forgive us if we lose a little professionalism by asking, “What in the heezy is going on at HISD?” We are all about a better use of space, but perhaps we are missing the mark on this one.

The Houston Independent School District has announced that it will be eliminating librarian positions at 28 schools this upcoming year and creating ‘Team Centers” at some of the libraries, where kids with behavioral issues will be sent.

This is another part of new superintendent Mike Miles’ reform program, the New Education System, also called the (NES).

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Currently, there are a total of 85 schools that have joined Miles’ program, and of those, 28 campuses will lose their librarians but the district has said those librarians will have the opportunity to transition to other roles within the district.

HISD says the remaining 57 NES schools’ librarians will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Miles said students are behind on reading levels, especially in 4th grade, but “riddle me this,” wouldn’t NOT PROPERLY UTILIZING THE libraries hurt them even more? Why not have an aggressive program to RESTORE the joy of reading and learning, using the library as the hub and heartbeat of the schools?

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner does not agree with this move.

“You don’t close libraries in some of the schools in your most underserved communities, and you’re keeping libraries open in other schools,” Turner said.

Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis expressed indignation over Miles’ decision.

“I am outraged by the actions of the state-appointed HISD superintendent to eliminate school libraries and turn them into what are functionally detention centers. School libraries and librarians are a cornerstone of a thriving educational environment. Removing libraries takes the state’s censorship efforts and attacks on communities of color to a new level,” Ellis said. “These actions – along with their efforts to ban books, end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, target trans youth, and remove college professors – smacks of oppressive tendencies reminiscent of dark times in history that we must not repeat. We will push back against these efforts at the local level, and continue to advocate upholding the values of democracy, uplifting diversity and empowering our youth to become informed, active citizens of the world.”

So what happens now?

Well, the district said the remaining libraries will now be available to students who are dropped off at school before classes begin or after school before they go home.

And when it comes to the new “Team Centers,” the district says they are designed for students to work individually or in teams throughout the school day.

Students with behavioral issues will also be placed in these centers, where they will be able to join their class virtually.

I don’t know, as a lover of books, maybe I’m just taking this personal. What about you? Please feel free to sound off in the comments section below…………

MORE HISD NEWS

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Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia announces $17 million in federal funding to HISD

HISD hires first Indian American to lead Office of Communications

RIP: ‘5-Star General’ Gerry Monroe, who fought tirelessly for Houston students, dies