AUSTIN, Texas – June 2, 2025 - Following a review of local feedback and a comprehensive evaluation of Houston ISD’s (HISD) progress, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) today announced the extension of the intervention in Houston ISD and the appointment of four new board members to the Houston ISD Board of Managers.  

State law required Texas Education Commissioner, Mike Morath, to make a decision at the two-year anniversary of the intervention. Commissioner Morath’s decision extends the authority of the Board of Managers until June 1, 2027.  

Under the leadership of the Board of Managers and Superintendent Mike Miles, and through the hard work and resolve of the district’s students, educators and support staff, HISD experienced significant year-over-year improvements in student academic performance during the first year of the intervention, including the highest gains of any large school district in Texas; and internal district data show that student achievement continued to climb in year 2. The district made improvements in the provision of special education services, compliance with applicable special education laws, financial controls, operations and school board governance. To build off this progress, continued efforts are essential to strengthen student support systems, sustain strong academic outcomes and meet the three established exit criteria:  

• No multi-year academically unacceptable campuses;  
• Special education operates in compliance with requirements; and  
• The board’s procedures align with a focus on students that is consistent with high performing governing teams.  

“Houston ISD has always been a district with some of the highest performing schools in the country, but it was also a district that allowed some of its schools to fail students for over a decade.  With the changes made in the last two years, Houston ISD is well on its way to being a district where all of its schools provide students with the educational opportunities that will allow them to access the American Dream,” said Commissioner Morath. “Ultimately, two years has not been enough time to fix district systems that were broken for decades. The extension of this intervention will allow the district to build on its progress and achieve lasting success for students once the board transitions back to elected leadership.”

Houston ISD has been very capably led by a Board of Managers for the past two years. Each board member has served without compensation as true exemplars of public service. In conjunction with extending the length of time a board of managers will remain in place, board members Cassandra Bandy, Rolando Martinez, Audrey Momanaee and Adam Rivon will transition off the board. Four Houstonians - Edgar Colón, Marty Goossen, Lauren Gore and Marcos Rosales - have been appointed to fill these vacancies effective June 1, 2025.

New Houston ISD Board of Managers Appointees  

Edgar Colón

Edgar Colón has been a key figure in Houston’s legal and academic communities. Since 2003, he has led his own legal practice, specializing in public finance, commercial transactions and corporate law. Beyond law, he has made significant contributions to education as a full-time lecturer in Political Science at the University of Houston-Downtown since 2008, teaching courses on government, constitutional law and nonprofit management.

His commitment to Houston extends to civic engagement, serving as Chairman of the Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation and leading the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. A University of Houston alumnus with multiple degrees, Colón's influence spans law, business and education, shaping future leaders through both his professional and academic work. Fluent in Spanish, his expertise bridges local and international perspectives.

Lauren Gore

Lauren A. Gore was appointed to the Texas Southern University (TSU) Board of Regents in 2024, reflecting his dedication to education in Houston. A Harvard Law graduate and former instructor at its Program on Negotiation, he has contributed to academia by teaching negotiation strategies to university students and professionals. His leadership extends beyond education; as a General Partner at LDR Growth Partners in Houston, he oversees portfolio operations. Gore’s experience includes a military background as an Airborne-Ranger Infantry Officer and a legal career advising global infrastructure projects. His commitment to Houston is evident through service on multiple governing boards. His role at TSU highlights his dedication to fostering educational opportunities in the region, ensuring a lasting impact on students and the community.

Marty Goossen

Marty Goossen retired as Vice Chairman of J.P. Morgan Private Bank in 2024 after working in Houston’s financial sector since 2006. Proud to call Houston home for the past two decades, he has been deeply involved in the city’s civic and philanthropic community, serving on the boards of the Asia Society Texas, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and the United Way of Greater Houston. His commitment to education has led him to serve on advisory boards for Rice University’s Jones School of Business and Teach for America Houston. Marty is a graduate of Harvard Business School and holds a B.S. in Economics from Union College.

Marcos Rosales  

Marcos Rosales is a trial lawyer and Partner at Beck Redden LLP. Marcos previously served as general counsel of a multi-industry business enterprise, giving him considerable business and litigation experience and extensive knowledge of a range of industries, including oil and gas, real estate, construction and insurance. Acting as general counsel for a commercial construction company, Marcos has negotiated construction, engineering, architecture and construction management contracts. The father of young children, Marcos previously served HISD on the Community Advisory Committee.
  
“I extend my thanks to the four departing board members for their work in improving the lives of students in Houston ISD and helping bring about meaningful, impactful changes to a system that fell short for so many years. HISD is better today because of their time on the board, and I thank them for their service,” said Commissioner Morath. “These new board members - advocates for the students of Houston and their communities - will join the remaining board members in moving the district forward with a continued focus on student outcomes and meeting the exit criteria.”  

TEA will continue to closely monitor HISD’s progress toward fulfilling the exit criteria and improving district systems. For more information on the Houston ISD Board of Managers, please visit the Houston ISD Board of Managers webpage.  

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Background on the Houston ISD Intervention  

TEA installed a Board of Managers in Houston ISD on June 1, 2023, following prolonged litigation and continued systemic deficiencies. In 2019, state law ordering either the closure of a campus or the installation of a board of managers was triggered when Wheatley High School earned a seventh consecutive unacceptable accountability rating. In addition, a TEA investigation substantiated findings that a majority of HISD’s elected board violated the Texas Open Meetings Act and board members broke Texas procurement law, and a conservator had been assigned to the district for more than two school years.