3 people escorted off property at HISD’s latest public meeting

According to FOX 26’s Re’Chelle Turner, this week’s ISD board meeting in Houston was met with protests after county officials restricted access to the boardroom and three people were reportedly escorted off the property. Two of them told Turner the move felt “pointed.”

Several community members were frustrated when HISD’s newly appointed board of directors limited the number of seats available to just 35 chairmen at Thursday’s meeting. In a new arrangement, much of the meeting space was occupied by tables for the board to conduct a budget workshop, Houston Landing’s Miranda Dunlap reported. As a result, dozens of registered speakers were relegated to an overflow room where they were expected to livestream the event and make public comments via webcam.

News crews with FOX 26 captured footage of a group in the building’s lobby saying “let’s get in” and filmed a man being escorted outside by HISD police. A spokesman for the precinct confirmed to The Houston Chronicle’s Sam González Kelly that officers did indeed arrest someone from the congregation, but declined to provide further details.

The day after the meeting, two other people, Stephan Hester and Sam Smith, came forward and told Turner using FOX 26 that they were also removed from the building. “We should be specifically kicked out. Me and the people who were on the street came to every meeting. We didn’t cause a riot, we didn’t cause violence,” Stephan Hester told her. Hester and Smith, who are black, said they believe they were escorted off the property because of their race. “There were other people doing the same thing as we were,” Smith added.

According to Turner, both have contacted attorneys and school district officials have issued a response. A statement obtained by FOX 26 said: “HISD is aware of the incident that occurred during the board meeting on Thursday, June 15, 2023. Registered speakers have had the opportunity to speak in both allocated areas and have been provided with the proper decency at the meeting.” to be followed in order for business to be conducted. Due to an ongoing investigation, HISD is unable to provide any further information.”

Newly appointed Superintendent Mike Miles was not present for public comment. Miles told Houston Landing’s Dunlap that he didn’t attend that portion of the meeting because it was a “good way to focus on the board.” He said there are “many opportunities” to speak to him in person outside of public comment.