Megan Menchaca
@meganmenchaca.bsky.social
senior k-12 education reporter at the houston chronicle • signal: megan.menchaca.20 • tips: megan.menchaca@houstonchronicle.com
Houston ISD's teacher turnover rate shot up by 12.5 percentage points in fall 2024 after the first year of the state takeover.
That pushed the district's rate significantly higher than the statewide rate. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
That pushed the district's rate significantly higher than the statewide rate. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
August 25, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Houston ISD's teacher turnover rate shot up by 12.5 percentage points in fall 2024 after the first year of the state takeover.
That pushed the district's rate significantly higher than the statewide rate. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
That pushed the district's rate significantly higher than the statewide rate. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
The four ousted members of Houston ISD's Board of Managers submitted the majority of the board's formal information requests to the district over two years, records show.
via @houstonchronicle.com
via @houstonchronicle.com
August 7, 2025 at 3:59 PM
The four ousted members of Houston ISD's Board of Managers submitted the majority of the board's formal information requests to the district over two years, records show.
via @houstonchronicle.com
via @houstonchronicle.com
NEW: More than 2,300 Houston ISD teachers left the district in June, per @houstonchronicle.com
The number of teacher departures in June is twice as high as it was before the state takeover, records show.
The number of teacher departures in June is twice as high as it was before the state takeover, records show.
August 6, 2025 at 10:21 PM
NEW: More than 2,300 Houston ISD teachers left the district in June, per @houstonchronicle.com
The number of teacher departures in June is twice as high as it was before the state takeover, records show.
The number of teacher departures in June is twice as high as it was before the state takeover, records show.
Each Texas Hearst paper dedicated four pages and more than 9,000 words to tell the stories of 70+ people who have died in the Kerr County floods.
I hope you’ll take the time to read.
I hope you’ll take the time to read.
July 13, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Each Texas Hearst paper dedicated four pages and more than 9,000 words to tell the stories of 70+ people who have died in the Kerr County floods.
I hope you’ll take the time to read.
I hope you’ll take the time to read.
The front pages of the Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express News + Austin American-Statesman are all dedicated to the same story today:
Remembering the lives lost to the catastrophic Kerr County floods.
Remembering the lives lost to the catastrophic Kerr County floods.
July 13, 2025 at 2:34 PM
The front pages of the Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express News + Austin American-Statesman are all dedicated to the same story today:
Remembering the lives lost to the catastrophic Kerr County floods.
Remembering the lives lost to the catastrophic Kerr County floods.
"Mom I didn't know if I would see you again."
Tiny, a 9-year-old girl at Camp Mystic, thought she was about to die in the July 4 flood. She didn't.
Annabelle Fitzenhagen, her 18-year-old camp counselor, saved her life.
Here's what Tiny told her mom:
Tiny, a 9-year-old girl at Camp Mystic, thought she was about to die in the July 4 flood. She didn't.
Annabelle Fitzenhagen, her 18-year-old camp counselor, saved her life.
Here's what Tiny told her mom:
July 11, 2025 at 9:24 PM
"Mom I didn't know if I would see you again."
Tiny, a 9-year-old girl at Camp Mystic, thought she was about to die in the July 4 flood. She didn't.
Annabelle Fitzenhagen, her 18-year-old camp counselor, saved her life.
Here's what Tiny told her mom:
Tiny, a 9-year-old girl at Camp Mystic, thought she was about to die in the July 4 flood. She didn't.
Annabelle Fitzenhagen, her 18-year-old camp counselor, saved her life.
Here's what Tiny told her mom:
More than 200 Houston ISD families held a candlelight vigil tonight for Greta Toranzo, who remains missing after Camp Mystic flooding.
They sung “Amazing Grace” and prayed for the safe and quick return of the Sinclair Elementary School student to Houston.
They sung “Amazing Grace” and prayed for the safe and quick return of the Sinclair Elementary School student to Houston.
July 6, 2025 at 4:04 AM
More than 200 Houston ISD families held a candlelight vigil tonight for Greta Toranzo, who remains missing after Camp Mystic flooding.
They sung “Amazing Grace” and prayed for the safe and quick return of the Sinclair Elementary School student to Houston.
They sung “Amazing Grace” and prayed for the safe and quick return of the Sinclair Elementary School student to Houston.
Houston ISD's Sinclair Elementary School PTO is holding a candlelight vigil for Greta Toranzo at the campus today at 8:30 p.m.
Attendees are encouraged to wear blue, Greta's favorite color. Greta remains missing after the catastrophic flooding at Camp Mystic.
Attendees are encouraged to wear blue, Greta's favorite color. Greta remains missing after the catastrophic flooding at Camp Mystic.
July 5, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Houston ISD's Sinclair Elementary School PTO is holding a candlelight vigil for Greta Toranzo at the campus today at 8:30 p.m.
Attendees are encouraged to wear blue, Greta's favorite color. Greta remains missing after the catastrophic flooding at Camp Mystic.
Attendees are encouraged to wear blue, Greta's favorite color. Greta remains missing after the catastrophic flooding at Camp Mystic.
Sinclair ES families are sharing flowers and messages of hope for Houston ISD student Greta Toranzo, who remains missing after flooding at Camp Mystic.
“You are such a good friend,” one student wrote. “I send you and your family all my prays. Love you Greta.”
“You are such a good friend,” one student wrote. “I send you and your family all my prays. Love you Greta.”
July 5, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Sinclair ES families are sharing flowers and messages of hope for Houston ISD student Greta Toranzo, who remains missing after flooding at Camp Mystic.
“You are such a good friend,” one student wrote. “I send you and your family all my prays. Love you Greta.”
“You are such a good friend,” one student wrote. “I send you and your family all my prays. Love you Greta.”
Here's part two of HISD's Alex Elizondo's letter to "friends and supporters:"
June 24, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Here's part two of HISD's Alex Elizondo's letter to "friends and supporters:"
Houston ISD's chief of communications doubling down on criticism of the Houston Chronicle today.
The "editorial page has not only been silent about our students’ progress, but it has also diminished and even dismissed it. We cannot let this stand—our kids deserve better," she says.
The "editorial page has not only been silent about our students’ progress, but it has also diminished and even dismissed it. We cannot let this stand—our kids deserve better," she says.
June 24, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Houston ISD's chief of communications doubling down on criticism of the Houston Chronicle today.
The "editorial page has not only been silent about our students’ progress, but it has also diminished and even dismissed it. We cannot let this stand—our kids deserve better," she says.
The "editorial page has not only been silent about our students’ progress, but it has also diminished and even dismissed it. We cannot let this stand—our kids deserve better," she says.
HISD Superintendent Mike Miles responds to op-ed by Jim Schutze + editorial in DMN:
"To find journalists willing to acknowledge the magnitude of what is taking place in Houston, one has to look all the way to Dallas."
"To find journalists willing to acknowledge the magnitude of what is taking place in Houston, one has to look all the way to Dallas."
June 23, 2025 at 8:44 PM
HISD Superintendent Mike Miles responds to op-ed by Jim Schutze + editorial in DMN:
"To find journalists willing to acknowledge the magnitude of what is taking place in Houston, one has to look all the way to Dallas."
"To find journalists willing to acknowledge the magnitude of what is taking place in Houston, one has to look all the way to Dallas."
I’m so excited to be at the #IRE25 conference this weekend in NOLA with several of my @houstonchronicle.com colleagues.
If you’re here, I’d love to grab coffee and/or yap about journalism + reporting.
If you’re here, I’d love to grab coffee and/or yap about journalism + reporting.
June 19, 2025 at 4:40 PM
I’m so excited to be at the #IRE25 conference this weekend in NOLA with several of my @houstonchronicle.com colleagues.
If you’re here, I’d love to grab coffee and/or yap about journalism + reporting.
If you’re here, I’d love to grab coffee and/or yap about journalism + reporting.
I know "print is dead" but being in the Houston Chronicle's Sunday edition will always be a big deal to me.
So this week, I honestly am a little in disbelief to see my byline — for the first time — on back-to-back-to-back Sunday front pages.
This will never not be exciting to me 🤍
So this week, I honestly am a little in disbelief to see my byline — for the first time — on back-to-back-to-back Sunday front pages.
This will never not be exciting to me 🤍
June 8, 2025 at 2:26 PM
I know "print is dead" but being in the Houston Chronicle's Sunday edition will always be a big deal to me.
So this week, I honestly am a little in disbelief to see my byline — for the first time — on back-to-back-to-back Sunday front pages.
This will never not be exciting to me 🤍
So this week, I honestly am a little in disbelief to see my byline — for the first time — on back-to-back-to-back Sunday front pages.
This will never not be exciting to me 🤍
after two school years covering houston isd, i wanted to take a look back at how many schools i've visited so far.
in total, i've visited nearly 35 across houston. this includes town halls, classroom tours + much more.
... only around 240 more left to go.
in total, i've visited nearly 35 across houston. this includes town halls, classroom tours + much more.
... only around 240 more left to go.
June 6, 2025 at 6:35 PM
after two school years covering houston isd, i wanted to take a look back at how many schools i've visited so far.
in total, i've visited nearly 35 across houston. this includes town halls, classroom tours + much more.
... only around 240 more left to go.
in total, i've visited nearly 35 across houston. this includes town halls, classroom tours + much more.
... only around 240 more left to go.
Houston ISD's top 100 earners all make at least $182,500, district records show.
Roughly half of these earners have a year or less of experience in the district, per @houstonchronicle.com.
Roughly half of these earners have a year or less of experience in the district, per @houstonchronicle.com.
June 4, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Houston ISD's top 100 earners all make at least $182,500, district records show.
Roughly half of these earners have a year or less of experience in the district, per @houstonchronicle.com.
Roughly half of these earners have a year or less of experience in the district, per @houstonchronicle.com.
Some more logo color schemes if you're curious:
June 3, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Some more logo color schemes if you're curious:
Houston ISD shared a preview of its new logo today in advance of a wider rebrand planned for this summer.
Unlike the district's initial proposed logo options, this one does not include the color salmon.
Unlike the district's initial proposed logo options, this one does not include the color salmon.
June 3, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Houston ISD shared a preview of its new logo today in advance of a wider rebrand planned for this summer.
Unlike the district's initial proposed logo options, this one does not include the color salmon.
Unlike the district's initial proposed logo options, this one does not include the color salmon.
It's the two year anniversary of the state takeover of Houston ISD, the largest school district in Texas.
On the front page of today's @houstonchronicle.com, we dive into how much progress the district has made toward the three exit criteria — and what's left to go.
On the front page of today's @houstonchronicle.com, we dive into how much progress the district has made toward the three exit criteria — and what's left to go.
June 1, 2025 at 4:06 PM
It's the two year anniversary of the state takeover of Houston ISD, the largest school district in Texas.
On the front page of today's @houstonchronicle.com, we dive into how much progress the district has made toward the three exit criteria — and what's left to go.
On the front page of today's @houstonchronicle.com, we dive into how much progress the district has made toward the three exit criteria — and what's left to go.
Houston ISD saw a surge in high school graduates earning industry-based certifications in the years before the state takeover.
But were these schools "gaming" the TEA's A-F accountability rating system?
Latest for @houstonchronicle.com:
But were these schools "gaming" the TEA's A-F accountability rating system?
Latest for @houstonchronicle.com:
May 16, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Houston ISD saw a surge in high school graduates earning industry-based certifications in the years before the state takeover.
But were these schools "gaming" the TEA's A-F accountability rating system?
Latest for @houstonchronicle.com:
But were these schools "gaming" the TEA's A-F accountability rating system?
Latest for @houstonchronicle.com:
Good news: Houston ISD's counselor-to-student ratios have significantly improved in the last 5 years.
Bad news: Most HISD schools still don't meet ideal counselor ratios, even though that's key for preparing students for college.
Bad news: Most HISD schools still don't meet ideal counselor ratios, even though that's key for preparing students for college.
May 14, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Good news: Houston ISD's counselor-to-student ratios have significantly improved in the last 5 years.
Bad news: Most HISD schools still don't meet ideal counselor ratios, even though that's key for preparing students for college.
Bad news: Most HISD schools still don't meet ideal counselor ratios, even though that's key for preparing students for college.
here is the current logo for reference
May 8, 2025 at 8:54 PM
here is the current logo for reference
Houston ISD reported 45 employees making more than $200,000 at the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year.
Before Superintendent Mike Miles began leading the district in June 2023, that number was 12. It has nearly quadrupled since then.
Before Superintendent Mike Miles began leading the district in June 2023, that number was 12. It has nearly quadrupled since then.
May 5, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Houston ISD reported 45 employees making more than $200,000 at the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year.
Before Superintendent Mike Miles began leading the district in June 2023, that number was 12. It has nearly quadrupled since then.
Before Superintendent Mike Miles began leading the district in June 2023, that number was 12. It has nearly quadrupled since then.
Houston ISD advocates decorated an car for the Houston Art Car Parade featuring a papier mâché puppet of Superintendent Mike Miles with an orange traffic cone on his head.
The car said "Liar. Liar" and "Fire the liar." @houstonchronicle.com story here: www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
The car said "Liar. Liar" and "Fire the liar." @houstonchronicle.com story here: www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
April 14, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Houston ISD advocates decorated an car for the Houston Art Car Parade featuring a papier mâché puppet of Superintendent Mike Miles with an orange traffic cone on his head.
The car said "Liar. Liar" and "Fire the liar." @houstonchronicle.com story here: www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
The car said "Liar. Liar" and "Fire the liar." @houstonchronicle.com story here: www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
In statement, Houston ISD says some of CAIR Houston's allegations do not match the facts of the investigation.
However, they say "the district shares CAIR's belief that the incident warranted both consequences for the aggressors and care for the victim."
However, they say "the district shares CAIR's belief that the incident warranted both consequences for the aggressors and care for the victim."
April 9, 2025 at 4:29 PM
In statement, Houston ISD says some of CAIR Houston's allegations do not match the facts of the investigation.
However, they say "the district shares CAIR's belief that the incident warranted both consequences for the aggressors and care for the victim."
However, they say "the district shares CAIR's belief that the incident warranted both consequences for the aggressors and care for the victim."