Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia’s Statement on Texas Education Agency Takeover over Houston Independent School District

Houston, TX – Today, Mike Morath, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner, announced the agency would appoint a board of managers and remove Houston Independent School District's democratically elected school board and superintendent effective after June 1, 2023. Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia issued the following statement on the matter:

"The Texas Education Agency's decision to take over Houston Independent School District is an overreach of state authority that undermines the importance of local control and community representation in education. Not only does this decision betray parents' rights to elect their governing board, but it takes power away from taxpayers from Houston. State officials should be collaborating with our community's parents, teachers, students, support staff administrators, and elected leadership to enhance the city's public education system rather than seizing control of the district. We must ensure that the TEA is accountable to the people it serves and that our schools remain under the stewardship of those who know them best."

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Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018, becoming the first Latina ever to represent the Texas 29th Congressional District. She serves on the Financial Services Committee.