Dallas ISD Board President Lew Blackburn's interview on Superintendent Mike Miles - Colorado Gazette - April 3, 2012

Broad Academy trained Superintendent Mike Miles (2011 Class) was selected as a  tough-no-excuses-reformer. Apparently, most Dallas ISD Trustees were impressed with his approach and wanted it for Dallas ISD teachers and staff.

On Tuesday, April 3, 2012, one day after Dallas ISD Trustees selected Supt. Mike Miles as the lone finalist, the Colorado Gazette published an interview with Board President Lew Blackburn. The interview mentioned "controversal reforms" previously implemented by Supt. Miles in Harrison School District 2. 

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Miles dropped in at Dallas schools during interview process
http://www.gazette.com/articles/harrison-136215-district-
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The Colorado Gazette article states:

"Miles for six years has visited Harrison schools daily, watching how teachers teach, how students react and how  leaders lead.

"Dallas Board President Lew Blackburn said in an interview Tuesday that they want him and the other top administrators in the Dallas district to start doing the same thing.

"Miles will begin the job July 2 if the Dallas board gives final approval April 26."

The Colorado Gazette article further reported:

"That tough and visionary approach to education is what impressed the Texans.  Blackburn said that they liked the steps Miles took to improve Harrison, including pay for performance and the intense performance evaluations.

"Asked if they were ready to deal with "potential controversies Miles might create" as he did in Colorado Springs, Blackburn said, “For the last seven years we have taken the heat with changes in policies, staff reductions and wanting to retain better teachers if it’s a choice between them and those lagging.

"Blackburn also noted that Miles’ belief that poverty and family problems are no excuse for low achievement dovetails with their mission. About 85 to 90 percent of its students are poor."

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Dallas ISD Trustees never met again about this matter between the April 2, 2012 selection of a lone finalist and the April 26, 2012 appointment of the Superintendent. There was no Board discussion of the contract until one hour before the Board meeting on April 26, 2012.

Also, no opportunity was provided for Board discussion of the visits of eight Board members to Colorado Springs - Harrison School District 2. Four Trustees visited on Friday, April 13, 2012 - Blackburn, Morath, Nutall and Cowan. Four Trustees visited on Monday, April 16, 2012 - Medrano, Flores, Parrott and Ranger. Trustee Nancy Bingham did not visit Harrison School District 2.

On Thursday, April 26, 2012, Dallas ISD Trustees voted 8 Yes-1 No to employ Superintendent Mike Miles and approved a three-year contract of $300,000 base salary per year plus up to $200,000 in performance bonuses and incentives tied to tests.

I voted "No."

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Miles dropped in at Dallas schools during interview process


Trustees tour district of DISD superintendent finalist in Colorado

New Dallas ISD leader was a polarizing figure in Colorado

Mixed messages heard for DISD lone finalist Miles  

Harrison School District Two Web site