DISD Superintendent Miles keeps his job as vote for termination narrowly defeated

By Ruth Ferguson, NDG Editor

DISD Superintendent Mike Miles will keep his job, but he will be placed on a 90 day “growth plan.” Monday night the DISD school board voted 5-3 to allow him to keep his job. The no votes were from Trustees Carla Ranger,  Lew Blackburn and Bernadette Nutall.

The vote was in response to the recent independent investigation which determined Miles violated district policy when he attempted to interfere with another investigation and his assistance with drafting of a letter criticizing the school board. The majority of the trustees were not pleased with Miles actions, but did not feel like his actions warranted termination.

The board spent time behind closed doors debating what punishment would be issued for Miles actions. Late Monday they agreed to issue a letter of reprimand, and the 90 day growth plan, which commonly referred to as an employee improvement plan. Also, they removed from Miles contract the automatic one-year extension.

After such a rocky first year which led to even protests near his home, Miles wife and son moved back to Colorado over the summer. Now, although he was not fired, observers wonder how much longer before the resignation announcement will come. The idea of his family being out of state, would seem to suggest the Miles era will not last much longer.

In first year Miles was investigated twice, seven of his Cabinet members left and from the start his Cabinet hires and salaries of some members were openly questioned.

Despite having the support of City of Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and other community leaders, Miles came under heavy fire for his attempt to fire principals deemed subpar. Members of the public were so outraged they launched a push to remove Miles and the protests near his home.