Yesterday, Monday, April 23, union president at Houston Federation of Teachers (HFT), Zeph Capo, held a seemingly public press conference to raise questions about a charter, Energized for STEM Academy, that is in the running to privatize 10 public schools in Houston’s school district.
However, when anti-charter activists attended, they were immediately escorted out.
While HFT’s press release says Energized for Excellence is the selection, it’s actually not. Energized for STEM Academy is the charter that may privatize the 10 schools, but because these two non-profits operate in conjunction with two other non-profits under a for-profit company it is very easy to get it all confused. Read about that here.
“We weren’t there a minute before [Capo] stopped talking and asked us to leave,” Travis McGee, education activist, said. “We were told it was a private meeting/press conference even though it was posted publicly. We stated we weren’t there to to disrupt anything, but to listen.”
Like many community members, HFT has concerns regarding Energized for STEM Academy and their operation under a for-profit company. HFT used this press conference to bring up a different charter: Generation School Network — which is why the anti-charter activists showed up.
“I asked if they could wait in the other room until we finished our press conference. Our staff person states he informed them they could wait in the building or outside,” Capo said regarding asking the activists to leave the press conference. “We are happy to meet with anyone and discuss their concerns, but we have a right to conduct business.”
The tension over charters comes from parents, teachers, students, and community members in Houston Independent School District (HISD) feeling the threatening ultimatum of HB 1842 and SB 1882 as they fight the closures of 10 public schools and risk the replacement of democratically elected officials with appointed managers.
“We were never going to disrupt the meeting. We did have some signs like at ROADWomen but we weren’t doing anything and it was just us two,” Karina Quesada-Leon, education activist, said. “Secretary asked Travis what happened and when Travis started to tell him, he says, ‘y’all need do to leave.’ Uh, we were leaving but you stopped us to ask what happened.”
In reference to what Quesada-Leon is talking about: Last week, HISD Parent Advocates, attended a The River Oaks Association for Democratic Women (ROADWomen) meeting where HISD trustees went to give an update on schools. The activists held up signs during the meeting. Watch here, then watch the Q&A.
To learn about how American unions have their history rooted in protests, read here.
