In March 2024, the TVRI, through the Brewer Storefront, issued warning letters to 11 Texas school districts, including Angleton Independent School District (AISD), alleging violations of the Voting Rights Act. 

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Key Facts About AISD:

2021-23 Annual Revenue: $100,686,807

2022-23 Enrollment: 6,885

Voting Scheme: At Large

Students of Color: 67%

White Trustees: 5 of 7

 

The Warning Letter:

States that one Hispanic opportunity district can be drawn. About 52% of students are Hispanic but there are no Hispanic trustees on the board. On the 2023 STAAR exams, about 46% of Hispanic students met grade level compared to 59% of white students. Read the letter.

 

District Response:

States there are non-race-based policy reasons for maintaining at large districts. Refers to circuit court split on whether Section 2 of the VRA confers a private right of action and states that if a lawsuit is filed, the district will ask that it be abated until the Supreme Court resolves the split. Read the letter.

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The Complaint:

On June 26, 2024, the Brewer Storefront filed suit in federal court on behalf of plaintiff Laura Jaso against AISD. As the complaint states, an alarming achievement gap exists within AISD schools. Although nearly 60% of white students met grade level across all subjects and grades tested in 2022-23, only 46% of Hispanic students, 39% of African American students, and 40% of English Learners met grade level.

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The complaint states, “This persistent gap highlights unequal educational outcomes, with students of color and economically disadvantaged students lagging behind their white peers on academic measures tracked by the Texas Education Agency. Meanwhile, white students are set up for success by the majority white Board and the white superintendent.” Read the complaint.

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