NEISD Community Advocates
Organizing students, caregivers, school staff, and the community to win the schools our kids deserve.
Solidarity
Educational Justice
Humility
Collaboration
Who are NEISD Community Advocates?
NEISD Community Advocates was formed in December 2024 after it was announced that the NEISD school board would vote on a proposal to close three schools. A group of concerned parents, caretakers, students, and community members came together quickly to campaign against school closures. While the board ultimately voted to close three NEISD schools, there was much that NEISD Community Advocates won in less than two months.
Our Wins:
- The 3 impacted schools stood together in solidarity with one another against school closures
- 4+ meetings per week leading up to the vote to organize and collaborate
- The formation of various committees to tackle the work of fighting school closures
- Developing relationships with the media and having our stories shared with the public
- Closed-door meetings with all 7 board trustees before the vote
- The creation of a website and Facebook page
- Collaboration with the SAISD Parents' Union
- Holding a community rally before the district board meeting where the trustees voted on school closures
- Influencing the discourse among board trustees, including two trustees motioning for our demand - to delay the vote
- A proper Q&A at each of the schools' community meetings instead of a QR code to offer feedback
- An extension of the magnet school application timeline out of consideration for students impacted by closures
- Setting an example for our children of what it looks like to make "good trouble"
Our Core Values
Solidarity
We stand united across school and district lines in service of the best interests of students, staff, and community members. We believe all public school communities deserve respect, dignity, and support.
Educational Justice Lens
We consider how the most vulnerable populations will be impacted by decisions, and strive to uplift and center the perspectives of those who have been historically ignored (BIPOC students, low-income families, first language is not English, families with limited transportation, LGBTQ+ students/families, military families, etc.) Nothing about us without us.
Humility
We lean into discomfort and seek support when we need it, knowing that discomfort is an integral part of growth in educational justice work. We don’t expect ourselves to have all the answers or expertise, but to be willing to learn.
Collaboration
By fostering open communication, active listening, and shared responsibility, we create an environment where all voices are valued and respected. Through collaboration and shared decision-making, we build stronger relationships, and ensure that our actions reflect the needs and insights of everyone involved.
Get Involved
Would you like to join together with others in the NEISD community to improve our schools?
NEISD Community Advocates are not connected with any political party, elected official, or candidate.