Five newly elected Houston Independent School District trustees, Bridget Wade, Myrna Guidry, Felicity Pereyra, Maria Benzon and Michael McDonough, were sworn in Thursday at district headquarters. Their terms have officially begun, but they still cannot cast a single vote. The appointed Board of Managers continues to control policy and budget decisions for HISD, which means the oath for now was largely symbolic and the managers keep the real governing power.
Swearing-in at HISD headquarters
The swearing-in took place at the Hattie Mae White building, where several trustees leaned hard on the words “independent school district” as they recited their oaths, according to Houston Public Media. The outlet reports that Maria Benzon, who ran on an “End the Takeover” slate and has been a vocal critic of state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles, told the crowd she will keep attending meetings despite having no vote. Community members and student organizers joined the ceremony as a show of support for the elected trustees and their claim to democratic legitimacy.
State takeover remains in place
The Texas Education Agency installed a Board of Managers in June 2023 and has extended the intervention through at least June 1, 2027, leaving the appointed managers in charge of budgets, contracts and the superintendent, according to a news release from the Texas Education Agency. TEA says the extra time is intended to address multi-year failing campuses, special education compliance and governance practices. Until the agency decides HISD has met its exit criteria, the elected trustees will continue to hold office in name, but without governing authority.
Election results and 'End the Takeover' momentum
In November, voters chose two candidates who campaigned explicitly on an “End the Takeover” platform. Maria Benzon and Michael McDonough both won their races by comfortable margins, while Bridget Wade retained her seat and two other trustee positions went uncontested, according to the Houston Chronicle. The Chronicle framed the results as a clear sign of public frustration with the state intervention, noting that unions and community groups celebrated the outcomes. Elected trustees say the vote signals a strong demand for local voices to be heard in future district meetings.
How the new trustees plan to operate
Even without voting power, the newly sworn trustees say they plan to stay active. They intend to attend meetings, serve in any roles permitted and act as public watchdogs, according to Houston Public Media. Benzon told the outlet she wants to sit down with Superintendent Miles and push for more transparency around key policy decisions. Supporters argue that keeping elected trustees engaged now could help set the stage for a future, phased return to full local control.
Legal and political stakes
Under state law, the education commissioner has the authority to replace locally elected school boards in cases of certain accountability failures or governance problems, and TEA has said the extended intervention is needed so HISD can meet the statutory exit criteria, according to its news release. The move has drawn criticism from some local lawmakers and advocates, who argue it sidelines voters and undercuts community input, as reported by the Houston Chronicle. For now, policy and spending decisions remain firmly in the hands of the appointed Board of Managers while elected trustees work from the sidelines.
What’s next
The newly sworn trustees say they will keep showing up to meetings, meet with parents and teachers and push for clearer communication with district leadership. TEA has said it will continue to monitor HISD’s progress toward its exit benchmarks and will phase in any governance changes over time. Residents who want to track what happens next can follow HISD’s public meeting calendars and TEA announcements for any shift in the takeover timeline.
