DISD Board Votes in Favor of Superintendent's Reform Plans

Dallas Independent School District trustees voted to support a controversial reform plan by Superintendent Mike Miles to "nonrenew" the contracts of dozens of principals Thursday night.

In a vote of 7-2, the school board agreed to the plan to replace dozens of DISD principals through voluntary retirement or reassignment and terminate two principals. 

"I've said from the beginning we need an effective principal in every school," Superintendent Mike Miles said. "The research is pretty clear. Principals make a difference."

The principals of Roosevelt and Madison high schools are the two that will be terminated.

"We've outlined a very clear evaluation process that started back in June, actually," he said.

The board also voted to nonrenew 440 teachers.

Critics of Miles' plan include Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price.

"Nobody is probably in disagreement that there needs to be some change, but it's the approach," he said.

"I understand testing is important, but when you understand that there are other issues in this urban district that you have to contend with, you have to make some adjustments for that, and that's all we're saying," he said.

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said the school district needs changes and said he wants to see faster progress.

"Our status quo in our school system is not where it needs to be, and we've got to have change," he said. "This is about the community getting serious about education, and that's what we've got to get done." 

Hundreds of people showed up to Thursday’s board meeting to protest the vote, saying it was unfair to terminate the principals without giving them adequate time to improve. 

“We are asking you to say that we want the principals and teachers to have at least a year. I believe, Mr. Miles, you had a year,” the Rev. Leonard Stoval said. 

“We cannot afford to lose good talent if they can be retrained,” Hector Flores said.

Others supported Miles’ plan. 

“I am here to support the superintendent in his initiative to establish measures of accountability for campus leaders,” Fernando Rojas said. 

The terminated principals will have up to 15 days to file an appeal against the termination and ask for a hearing. 

NBC 5's Amanda Guerra contributed to this report.