What’s new:
The Houston Chronicle Editorial Board released an op-ed entitled, “ Mike Miles doesn’t want to close your school. He’s got better ideas.
” The Editorial Board was pleasantly surprised at HISD’s financial stability despite implementing NES, which includes pay raises for teachers, increased student supports, and technology upgrades.
Why it matters:
School districts across the state are facing tight budgets due to declining enrollment, limited appropriations, and inflation. Rather than close schools and pass deficit budgets, as other local districts have recently done ( link
, link
), HISD is on track to keep all neighborhood schools open while maintaining a healthy $850 million fund balance.
What they’re saying:
“Closing isn’t the answer. It’s opening — opening the doors to new students, or perhaps old ones coming back.” - Superintendent Mike Miles.
The bottom line:
The Editorial Board recognized that Superintendent Miles’ renewed focus on minimizing inefficiency and streamlining systems will ultimately have a positive effect on student outcomes. As the article noted, “he seems ready to do what it takes to leave community schools open.”
