Dallas

Controversy, Ambition Define Miles' Tenure in Dallas ISD

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 It's been a tenure of controversy versus ambition for Dallas Independent School District superintendent Mike Miles.

With visions of reform and plans to spark test scores, Miles took the helm of Dallas ISD in July of 2012 amid all the pomp and circumstance awaiting a new leader.

He started by implementing a controversial new evaluation system for teachers and principals, calling it the most rigorous in the country.

He put more money, more teachers and more resources into 21 schools in South and West Dallas.

Teaching strategies were made consistent in all 223 schools.

But heavy is the head that wears the crown. Despite Miles' efforts, student scores on state STAAR exams stayed flat or decreased under his watch.

Then controversy began to outshine progress. There were continuous clashes with district employees and board members over his management style.

Despite the attacks, Miles managed to survive several attempts by some board members to fire him. Most recently, he fought with board members over his decision to fire three principals, whom the board voted to keep.

Miles' current contract of $300,000 per year — with the ability to earn an additional $200,000 — was designed to keep him in the district until July 2017.

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