Introduction to the Houston Federation of Teachers
The Houston Federation of Teachers (HFT) is celebrating a significant victory after Judge Cheryl Elliott Thornton issued a partial temporary injunction against Houston ISD. This decision is related to how the district is distributing state-funded raises for educators. The HFT, which is the largest teachers’ union in Houston, had sued the district earlier in the summer.
Background of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit was filed because the HFT disagreed with the district’s decision to issue raises based on performance rather than tenure. In other words, the district was giving raises to teachers based on how well they performed, rather than how long they had been teaching. The HFT argued that this was not in line with the state’s orders under House Bill 3, an $8.5 billion funding package for Texas public schools.
The Judge’s Decision
In her ruling, Judge Thornton granted part of the injunction request, while denying another part. She wrote that the district’s performance-based raises may differ from what the state intended. However, she denied the HFT’s request to immediately pay out experience-based raises. This means that the district will have to rethink its approach to giving raises, but it won’t have to start paying out raises based on experience right away.
Implications of the Decision
The injunction comes at a time when Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles was awarded a significant bonus based on his annual performance evaluation. Miles and a state-appointed board of managers took over the district in June 2023, after the Texas Education Agency intervened due to an HISD high school receiving failing accountability ratings. The HFT president, Jackie Anderson, sees the injunction as a form of "poetic justice." She argues that if Superintendent Miles deserves a significant bonus, then the teachers who are "in the trenches" also deserve a raise.
Reaction from the District
The HISD press office has not yet commented on the injunction. It’s unclear how the district will respond to the judge’s decision, but it’s likely that they will have to make some changes to their approach to giving raises.
Conclusion
The Houston Federation of Teachers is celebrating a significant victory after the judge’s decision to issue a partial temporary injunction against Houston ISD. The decision highlights the ongoing debate about how to distribute state-funded raises for educators. While the district will have to rethink its approach, it’s unclear what the long-term implications will be. One thing is certain, however: the HFT will continue to advocate for the rights of teachers and ensure that they receive fair compensation for their hard work.
