HISD board meeting: steak and potatoes

Tonight's 6 pm retreat-ish HISD board meeting will be mostly cholesterol and no visitors, since it is being held in a private dining room at Vic and Anthony's downtown. This doesn't cause much surprise, since the second item on the agenda is to "deliberate the duties of the Superintendent, staff, and Board members, Superintendent’s performance evaluation and consider compensation and contractual position, and Board/Superintendent relations."

So amidst the famous Texas Ave. olfactory-awkward blends of rotting hotel and butter-infused beef, there will be some equally-awkward moments in the restaurant that shares a pad with the old World Trade Center (currently Landry's/Fertitta owned Inn at the Ballpark).

Reported by the Chronicle:

"That's just altogether weird," said Gayle Fallon, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers. "It's like they're trying to make sure you don't go."

HISD has made a habit of holding retreat-style meetings at nondistrict facilities — a right afforded to them under state open-meetings laws. They've met at the Magnolia Hotel, Sara's Bed and Breakfast Inn and at least one area country club. They sometimes stay overnight at taxpayers' expense.

Photo: stock.xchng user brokenarts