By Houston Independent School District (HISD) continues its commitment to transparency and community engagement through its Real Talk series. In today’s session, Deputy Chief Najah Callander joined Superintendent Mike Miles and Chief Alexandra Elizondo to share critical updates about HISD’s procurement processes—a key operation for maintaining the smooth functioning of the district’s schools and meeting student needs.
Real Talk serves as a platform for HISD leaders to address key operational topics. This session tackled procurement, a vital function for acquiring materials and services crucial to the district’s success. Superintendent Miles opened by forthrightly acknowledging a recent issue:
“Prior to winter break, we discovered that we weren’t following all the policies related to the procurement review process,” he explained.
Key Highlights
1. What Is Procurement?
Chief Alexandra Elizondo clarified the fundamentals:
“Procurement is how we refer to a process that any district, any ISD in Texas—including HISD—goes through to buy goods and services. That process must follow specific state laws and policies created by the local school board.”
Elizondo explained that the issue primarily arose within the third type of procurement, which involves purchasing cooperatives. This method allows HISD to collaborate with intergovernmental agencies to save time and taxpayer money. However, Elizondo pointed out that some procedures meant to ensure compliance were not applied consistently. Recognizing this, HISD has initiated a review and implemented corrective measures to strengthen compliance and maintain public trust.
2. The 4 Types of Procurement in HISD
Elizondo outlined the four procurement categories HISD uses to manage purchases:
- Projects under $50,000: These do not require a formal solicitation process for vendors.
- Projects between $50,000 and under $1 million: These require a formal solicitation process, where vendors apply to provide goods or services.
- Purchasing cooperatives: These allow HISD to collaborate with intergovernmental agencies to save time and money for taxpayers and public institutions.
- Projects over $1 million: These follow a formal solicitation process advertised for two weeks. Contracts in this category must also be approved by the school board.
Procurement isn’t just about purchasing—it directly impacts the quality of education by ensuring schools have the resources they need. From classroom supplies to large-scale infrastructure projects, the procurement process shapes students’ learning environments. HISD’s focus on transparency and efficiency helps maximize taxpayer dollars while promoting equity across the district.
To watch the full discussion with Deputy Chief Najah Callander, Superintendent Mike Miles, and Chief Alexandra Elizondo, click here.
