The Houston Public Schools Board convened on August 8, 2025, to review and discuss the goals for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. The meeting began with a focus on the board and superintendent goals, with several key objectives outlined for the district.

The first goal aims to establish a community service and industry exploration program for all ninth through twelfth graders, ensuring each student participates in at least one volunteer experience per semester. This initiative is designed to enhance student engagement and integrate work-based learning opportunities. The board clarified that this program will initially focus on in-person students at Houston Public Schools.

Next, the board discussed the implementation of a district-wide positive athletics and activities culture plan. This plan includes annual leadership training for all coaches and advisers, emphasizing sportsmanship and character development. The board confirmed that completion of training will be mandatory for coaches, with tracking mechanisms in place to ensure compliance.

The third goal involves developing a multiplatform communication plan to boost family and community engagement. The board plans to establish baseline data during the upcoming back-to-school night, which will serve as a reference point for measuring progress throughout the year.

The fourth goal focuses on increasing participation in career pathways and advanced coursework, including various vocational programs and college credit courses. The board noted that baseline data from the previous year will be utilized to track progress in this area.

A discussion arose regarding the potential addition of a teacher goal, emphasizing the importance of supporting teachers' social-emotional well-being. The board acknowledged the need for collaboration at the building level to address this concern effectively.

As the meeting progressed, board members debated the number of goals to be set, with suggestions to limit them to three or four to maintain focus. Some members expressed the need for further discussion on additional goals proposed by the superintendent, which were shared with the board prior to the meeting.

Ultimately, the board decided to table the discussion on the goals until more members could participate, allowing for a thorough review of the proposed objectives. The meeting concluded with an agreement to reconvene in September to finalize the goals for the upcoming school year.