Mike Miles spotlights accomplishments during his tenure at Dallas ISD

By Ruth Ferguson, NDG Editor

“The vision has been drawn and the foundation has been set,” former Dallas ISD Superintendent Mike Miles shared during his press conference on Tuesday morning announcing his unexpected resignation. He said the unsung heroes of his reform efforts were the members of his cabinet.

Miles stressed his belief that now is the time to rejoin his family. Having spent two of the last three years apart from his wife and son who are back in Colorado. He acknowledged the fact military and others spend time away from their families in service to their country and community, but he just felt it is time to reunite with his, including a son that just completed the 8th grade. Miles believes the summer presented a good time for transition for his family and the district.

He will continue to serve until Thursday when the Dallas ISD Board of Trustee meet again, then Deputy Superintendent Ann Smisko will assume leadership of day-to-day operations as acting superintendent.

“It has been a privilege to serve this community and the staff and students of Dallas ISD,” Miles said. “I will always be grateful for the opportunity that was given to me and the common toil and struggle of a city dedicated to the education of all children and whose best days are still in front of it.”

For those concerned that Destination 2020 will be derailed, he referenced the movie Camelot, discussing their vision for a better society but the vision became sidetracked. He encourages the supporters like the young idealists in Camelot to continue to move forward.

He acknowledged that over the last three years his decisions has been questioned by others and there have been repeated calls for his firing. So he deflected the suggestion that the recent skirmishes with his opponents led to the timing of his decision. Miles repeatedly stated the timing was right because the foundation for change has been set and the beginning of the summer.

He does not have any immediate career plans, but stated he will likely take two weeks off and then, “get back to doing something.”

Miles stated, “Until every student is college ready, this team cannot rest. The job is not finished. My role was to establish a good foundation. We have set the vision and righted the ship. We know where we are going, but it is a journey for sure.”