Houston Independent School District Superintendent Mike Miles has carved out a brand-new deputy superintendent position and slid Chief Academic Officer Kristen Hole into the role, effective Tuesday. The promotion gives Hole direct control of both Houston Independent School District's academics office and its schools office as Miles continues to rearrange the district’s central leadership. It is the latest in a string of senior staff moves the district has made this school year, as reported by the Houston Chronicle.
In a staff announcement, Miles said the new role is meant to reinforce the district's "commitment to deliver exceptional outcomes for every student at HISD" and that Hole will "ensure strong, consistent implementation" of initiatives such as artificial intelligence, accelerated math and a districtwide virtual school, according to the Houston Chronicle. The message noted that it remains unclear how the new title will affect Hole’s base salary and who will be tapped to replace her as chief academic officer. The move follows a series of other cabinet changes and departures earlier in the school year.
Hole's Background And Portfolio
Hole has been serving as HISD's chief academic officer since shortly after the state’s takeover and appears on the district’s leadership roster, according to HISD. Before joining the district she held senior curriculum and implementation roles at the Texas Education Agency, including associate commissioner of instructional strategy and executive director of special projects, per TEA documents. Her résumé also includes consulting work, which officials say has supported HISD’s curriculum and implementation efforts across the district.
Where The Promotion Fits In Miles' Overhaul
Observers say the deputy title makes official a consolidation of authority that puts one senior leader in charge of aligning campus operations with the central academics agenda. The change also affirms Hole's oversight of the district's special education office, which was moved under academics in recent reorganizations, and lands within a cabinet whose top leaders pull in six-figure salaries. Hole’s compensation has been reported at at least $250,000, according to the Houston Chronicle. District officials have not yet named a replacement for the chief of academics position.
