TEA announces Mike Miles as new Houston ISD superintendent and appoints Board of Managers

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) today announced the appointment of the nine-member Board of Managers for the Houston Independent School District (ISD) and the selection of a new superintendent.
“Over the past few months, we have been heartened to see so many Houstonians eagerly step up to serve their community and the students of Houston ISD,” said Texas Education Commissioner, Mike Morath. “We were looking for people from a wide array of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives who believe all children can learn and achieve at high levels when properly supported and who can work together. I believe the governing team I am naming today will work as a unified team, dedicated to improving student outcomes and supporting educators.”
Commissioner Morath named Mike Miles as the new superintendent of Houston ISD. Superintendent Miles began working today under a 21-day interim contract until he receives formal approval from the Board of Managers.
Miles is an experienced educational leader with an established track record of success improving outcomes for Texas students, including in the second largest school district in the state. In his prior educational leadership roles as the superintendent of the Dallas Independent School District and the Harrison School District in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and as the founder and CEO of Third Future Schools, he implemented key systemic changes that resulted in significant growth in student outcomes in each school system.
Commissioner Morath appointed the following individuals to the Houston ISD Board of Managers:
The appointed Board of Managers today temporarily replaces the current elected board of trustees and will be responsible for overseeing the management of the school district. The Board of Managers will hold public board meetings (the first meeting will be held on Thursday, June 8) and has the same legal requirements and obligations as the elected Board of Trustees. This includes holding all meetings in public, allowing for public comment, holding public hearings, and posting all required budget and tax information for public review and discussion.
The newly appointed Board of Managers will work in collaboration with the new superintendent to ensure that Houston ISD educators and staff have the necessary tools and resources at their disposal to facilitate student success in the classroom and beyond. As part of their duties as the governing body of HISD, the Board of Managers will also provide strategic leadership and oversight of the new superintendent. This will involve getting feedback from multiple district stakeholders, working to improve support for teachers, getting schools resources they need, and laying a foundation for success for students in the district.
In addition, the Board of Managers will work with the new superintendent to accomplish the exit criteria set forth by TEA that must occur before the transition back to the elected board. Specifically, the exit criteria that address the underlying causes for intervention include no multi-year failing campuses; a special education program in full compliance with all state and federal statutory requirements; and evidence of improved governance that demonstrates procedures and behavior focused on improved outcomes for all students in Houston ISD.
Background of Agency Intervention and Board of Managers Process
On March 15th, Commissioner Morath announced TEA’s intent to appoint a Board of Managers for Houston ISD, an action required under the bipartisan law, House Bill (HB) 1842, passed in 2015 by the Texas legislature. Applications for the Board of Managers came from Houstonians of all backgrounds.
Total Applications:
462: Total Applications
422: Total Applications within HISD boundaries
199 Male / 260 Female / 3 Other
180 African American, 52 Hispanic, 154 White, 21 Asian, 35 Two or More Races, 20 Other
22 HS Diploma, 118 Bachelors, 198 Masters, 124 Doctorate (38 with Doctorate in Education)
238 attended the Lone Star Governance training. 227 completed the training and were eligible to advance in the selection process (some candidates left early or did not return for Day 2 of the training). 52 were interviewed.
Superintendent selection criteria
Per statutory authority granted to the Commissioner, by HB 1842, the Commissioner of the Texas Education Agency is required to appoint a Board of Managers and Superintendent. The agency conducted interviews with candidates from around the state and around the country. Primary consideration was given to candidates with a strong track record of improving outcomes for students in prior school system leadership roles, especially when outcomes were improved in schools with chronically low student achievement. Additionally, candidates were evaluated for competencies in several key areas, including curriculum and instructional leadership, student support services, talent management, performance management, systems leadership, and community engagement and communication.