TEA Responds to Bogus Report

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ICYMI: TEA Responds to Bogus Report

TEA responded to the Spectrum News sensational story regarding allegations of wrongdoing by Third Future Schools, Superintendent Mike Miles former place of employment.

What’s new: TEA Commissioner, Mike Morath sent a letter to Representative Ana Hernandez confirming an active review of the allegations within the complaint, which notably excluded Houston ISD. The letter relayed the following:

Why it matters: Despite the misleading narrative portrayed, it appears that Third Future Schools operated entirely within the bounds of Texas law. While many community members, including teachers’ unions, pounced on the opportunity to link the misappropriation of funds to Houston ISD and Mike Miles, neither HISD nor Mike Miles appears to be under TEA review.

What they are saying: Third Future Schools is denying the fast and loose reports by Spectrum News, saying “[e}ach of our state networks oversees the funds for that state, and they do not cross from one state to the other.” Company officials also said, “[a]ll of our audits have been clean - the highest standard that can be met in public accounting.”

Go deeper: Texas Public Charter Schools Association stated, “Third Future’s schools in Texas are 1882 partnerships, which means local ISD boards authorize them and approve all financial arrangements, including that Third Future has a designated bank account for each of its Texas school campuses specifically to prevent any comingling of funds.”

Bottom line: Instead of focusing more attention on positive student outcomes, it appears some care more about sowing fear and spreading misinformation to distract from the ultimate goal of ensuring the next generation is safe and well-educated.

Houston ISD holds budget workshop

On Thursday, HISD hosted the district’s first public budget workshop after releasing the $2.1 billion budget for the 2024-2025 school year.

Why it matters: HISD will need to make up a $528 million shortfall in revenue after the expiration of nearly $200 billion in federal pandemic relief funds, which must be obligated by September 2024, expire for nearly all school districts across the country.

By the numbers: The Chronicle reported that the “proposed budget represents a $110 million decrease from last year's total, as over $323 million in federal pandemic relief money expires…Miles' proposed budget calls for $253 million to pay for 45 more schools in the superintendent's New Education System. In total, the 130 NES schools would cost the district about $732 million next year, or about a third of the district's overall budget.

What they are saying: Superintendent Miles says he will try to keep cuts “far away from the classroom.” Miles also said, "[t]his is painful and if the community feels that pain and folks are angry about it, I understand that because we certainly felt that here and there are people that lost their real jobs here in the district.”

What’s next: Thursday’s budget workshop was cut short as a strong storm caused power outages at the meeting. HISD has rescheduled the meeting for May 23 at 4PM.

Houston Landing to host discussion between Supe and Students

HISD Superintendent Mike Miles will take questions from HISD students at an event hosted by the Houston Landing. See details here.

Why it matters: As the first school year of the intervention - much of which dominated by necessary change - comes to a close, many students, teachers, and community members have been inundated with information, accurate or not, regarding the 2023 - 2024 HISD academic year. A great way to better understand the changes is to have four impacted senior year students speak directly with the implementing leader.

Go deeper: The discussion will take place in Zilkha Hall at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, May 20 at 7 p.m.

What they’re saying: “This event will be one of the first times Superintendent Miles has had an organic, public conversation with Houston ISD students about his controversial changes to the district — providing accountability and empathy,” according to Houston Landing HISD reporter Asher Leher-Small, who will facilitate the conversation.

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