It’s at least two more years before the state takeover of Houston ISD can end, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath announced Monday. In addition, four members of the state-appointed Board of Managers were thanked for their service and replaced.
It will be June 1, 2027 before Morath will once again consider allowing an elected board to begin replacing the one he has appointed. While Morath commended what he said were the improvements made during the past two years of state control, he said more work was needed to build on the changes. Morath said:
“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.
“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.”
The board members who are leaving are Cassandra Bandy, Rolando Martinez, Audrey Momanaee and Adam Rivon. As residents who’ve frequently attended board meetings can attest, Martinez and Rivon were the most likely to raise questions about proposed policies from state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles.
This leaves President Ric Campo, Angela Lemond Flowers, Michelle Cruz Arnold, Janette Garza Lindner and Paula Mendoza from the original Board of Managers.
According to a press release from TEA, the new board members are:
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.
As has been reported many times, to get out of a state-appointed board and superintendent, HISD has to have no multi-year academically unacceptable campuses, a special education system that meets state standards and a board that focuses on student achievement and is professional.
