Texas Representative Sylvia Garcia (D) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Education requesting an audit of the funding the Houston Independent School District (HISD) received.
“I am writing you today to alert you to ongoing issues in the Houston Independent School District (HISD) and financial happenings with our schools in the region,” said Rep. Garcia. “These issues are of the [utmost] importance to my office and constituents, and I therefore ask for the assistance of your department, including the Department of Education Office Inspector General.”
Texas schools have been a politcal talking point since Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) has begun sending out controversial school vouchers. The Texas representative addressed concerning reports that state funds had gone to a charter school in Colorado. “I would request that the Department of Education audit Ector ISD to ensure that all payments were appropriate in nature,” said Rep. Garcia regarding the alleged misallocation of funds.
During the COVID pandemic, the federal government sent funds to states. However, because of the alleged misconduct, there have been reports of layoffs for teachers, administrators and staff members.
“In order to be sure these dollars reached their intended recipients and were spent in accordance with the wishes of Congress, I request that you provide the dates when Texas received funding, the dates they disbursed funding to HISD, how HISD spent those funds to date, and what the remaining balance of those funds is,” said Garcia.
“It pains me that my home school district has been taken over and is seemingly being unintentionally run into the ground and request any additional assistance you can provide to protect our school and our students,” continued Garcia.
In her closing remarks, the Texas congresswoman contextualized the state of affairs in Texas.
“I understand that the Department of Education is critically important to the wellbeing of our future generations and ensuring that all stakeholders are good financial stewards of public funds is a part of that work. Houston is a vibrant and diverse community, and our state government is punishing us for that; we need your help,” said Garcia to the Chief of Staff.
