In a move that anchors Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles at the helm for an additional five years, the district's Board of Managers, during a late-night meeting yesterday, voted unanimously to extend his contract, as reported by KHOU. Securing a future for Miles' leadership coincides with HISD's recently approved $2.1 billion budget and follows the Texas Education Agency's decision to uphold the state-appointed intervention in HISD through June 1, 2027.
The approval came despite some voiced opposition, including a parent's discontent during public comment, stating dissatisfaction with what they perceive as politics over performance, "It's not about doing a job well; it's about glad-handing and slaps on the back from Abbott and Morath," as per KHOU. Nevertheless, the specifics of Miles’ reworked contract, discussed in a private session, with the board reaching a consensus on the terms negotiators had hammered out behind closed doors, albeit with the full contract due to be published by HISD by the week's end.
Meanwhile, the extension assures HISD's consistency of transformation during state oversight and beyond, as expressed by board president Ric Campo. The five-year term will ensure that Houston ISD "can continue its transformation for the duration of the state intervention, while allowing for continuity and a smooth transition when the district returns to local control," he emphasized in a statement referenced by the Houston Chronicle. This decision rides on the coattails of promising preliminary state exam scores for the third through eighth grade under Miles' oversight.
However, Miles' tenure and the board's recent personnel reshuffle haven't been without contention. Trustee Plácido Gómez highlighted concerns about the state sidelining community voices, saying, "So last week, when TEA announced that not only was the takeover going to be extended, but also four of the board members were being replaced — just so happened coincidentally to be the four board members who have the most questions, who have the most pushback," a concern he shared to audience approval during a board meeting and recounted by the Houston Chronicle. Pushing through reforms based on his charter school experiences, Miles' approach has elicited mixed reactions, though it has resonated in amplified test score results and school grades under the state's evaluation system, despite the generated staff turnover and dialogue on educational quality.
In line with Texas law, the board also passed a certification waiver for Miles, who does not hold the typical superintendent certification, a technical detail that nonetheless finds its resolution in the board's belief in Miles' capability to lead HISD's academic journey. The finalized contract details are scheduled for HISD's website publication, supposed to be seen in detail by the community by Friday's close of business.
