Judge resists removal efforts
Judge Franklin Bynum, addressing the yearslong attempt to have him removed from the bench, argues that his actions in court do not merit the same fate given to very few in the Texas judicial system.
The misdemeanor judge, who lost his Democratic primary bid in March, expressed his desire to remain in the Criminal Court at Law No. 8 through the end of the year in long-awaited remarks to Texas’ highest court. His response follows the State Commission on Judicial Conduct’s recommendation in July
take the load off their working parents. This is the case for the 19-year-old whose doorstep she was waiting on.
“His parents treat him like an adult,” Castillo said. “He has a lot of freedom and independence but also a lot of responsibility.”
She gave one more firm knock, and then left a sign hanging on his doorknob with information on how to re-enroll.
This isn’t uncommon. Sometimes volunteers aren’t able to catch people at home, the addresses aren’t up to date or the student moved in with a different relative.
Some groups had more luck. Carlos Phillips II, the principal of Booker T. Washington High School, was able to connect with all three families he was assigned to.
“We’re just there to have a conversation, let them know what classes the need to take and see if they need anything like a backpack, clothes or shoes,” Phillips said. “We want them to have what they need to be successful.”
HISD teams reached roughly 55 teens Saturday. The most recent statewide numbers provide a glimmer of hope of more students returning to school, showing a slight increase in enrollment. About 5.4 million students were enrolled in the 2021-2022 school year, according to the Texas Education Agency. That’s up roughly 1 percent from the previous year.
For most of the students, the staff members on the walk are familiar faces. Kimberly Grover and Maribel Cavazos are both clerks at Booker T. Washington and saw a couple names on their list that they recognized. They make sure keep snacks in their drawers for students who stop by the office.
“We know the kids. We know them very well,” Grover said. “But sometimes we don’t know they’re not here until we see them on the list.”
The school district’s efforts to track down missing students has extended well beyond the day of the event. Staffers have spent months doing outreach to students that have reenrolled in previous years, HISD Superintendent Millard House II said. He said when tracking down these students its of the utmost importance to listen to their stories with an empathetic ear.
“One thing that is important is that we can’t judge them,” House said. “We need to ensure that every scholar receives the appropriate support to remain in the walls of our buildings.”