Only 17% of Houston ISD graduates are earning a living wage just a decade after leaving high school. That’s not a statistic—it’s a wake-up call. It’s a reminder that far too many of our students are still being left behind, and that we have more work to do to ensure every child in Houston is prepared for a future filled with possibility.

The good news is change is happening. HISD is now improving student outcomes at a faster rate than any peer district in Texas. That momentum is real, and it’s worth building on. Sustained, significant action remains essential—especially to ensure more students are getting the academic support they need to access better-paying jobs and long-term opportunity.

But this can’t be the work of the school district alone. If we’re going to truly change outcomes for Houston’s children, we need the full weight of this community behind them. That means families, educators, nonprofits, business leaders, and elected officials all stepping up—together—to support our students and schools.

This isn’t just about what happens in the classroom. It’s about creating the conditions for success—in every neighborhood, on every block, for every child. That kind of transformation takes all of us.

We thank the outgoing board members for their service and welcome the new leaders stepping up at this pivotal moment. The road ahead won’t be easy, but it matters deeply. Together—with families, educators, and the entire community—we look forward to building a public school system where every Houston student has the opportunity to thrive and succeed for the long haul.

We’re hopeful because we’ve seen what’s possible. We’ve seen the progress. Now, we have to keep going. Let’s commit—every Houstonian—to being part of the solution. Because when we invest in our children, we invest in the future of our city. And there’s no greater cause, no smarter bet, and no more powerful force than a community united in the belief that every child deserves the chance to thrive.