Dallas Public Schools: Miles to Resign Today

Photo: Dallas ISD

Multiple news outlets are reporting that Dallas ISD superintendent Mike Miles will resign at a 9:30 a.m. press conference.

Frankly, I don’t blame him. Even more frankly, I’m a little stunned he didn’t flip everyone the double bird months ago, and walk out backwards just to make sure we got the longest view of that double bird on his way out. Mike Miles is a nicer person than me.

Even if you disagreed with the man, this is a bad thing for Dallas public schools. Running an urban school isn’t going to get any easier for the next guy or gal. And who exactly is going to want a job where you only get three years to accomplish the herculean? Let me state this plainly – most likely any success Miles’ predecessor has will be because someone (Miles) set a foundation for success and that person left much of his policy in place. It will have to be that way, because we will not – as voters who hold the school board accountable – allow the next person any more time than we did Miles to accomplish anything in the way of real reform.

Yes, Miles could be stubborn. And he made some critical missteps personnel-wise that made it easier for folks already gunning for him to make a case. But we’ve also been monumentally stupid by believing news organizations who consistently get it wrong.  Let me reiterate, since they continue to get it wrong: The finance chief was highly-sought after and resigned after getting a very good offer from Garland ISD that DISD couldn’t match. We still have more in the reserve fund than the state requires. Student satisfaction (which is to me one of the most important metrics) is high.

So don’t dance about a boogeyman being vanquished. Instead, be very worried about the fact that the next guy will have exactly three years, too, to accomplish the daunting task of steering DISD.

Three years. Hardly seems worth the trip to Dallas to interview.

Stay tuned for coverage of Miles’ press conference at 9:30.