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A draft audit report was prematurely released to The Dallas Morning News.
We have submitted a response to the auditor. I know that people want
to see the administration’s response to the audit as soon as
possible. I also understand that in many respects the community “has
seen this movie before” and therefore may be predisposed to believe the
released report. After the past six months of countless meetings with
community groups and individual stakeholders, I am starting to
understand the past history of Dallas ISD.
My team and I are eager for you to read the response,
but that will have to wait until after the audit committee meets to
discuss it. I will say that our response to the report shows that my
senior leadership team and I abided by all laws, policies, and ethical
practices. But beyond the technical points, the report will show that
my team and I acted with a sense of urgency and changed some past
practices to get things done. These changes in processes were
permissible under law, policies, and the authority given to me by the
Board in my contract.
That does not mean that my team and I haven’t made any
mistakes. If I had to do it over again, I would have slowed down to
allow people in the system a chance to implement changes more
effectively. This past summer was a unique time when my team and I
worked quickly to hire six Cabinet members, five Assistant
Superintendents, and 21 Executive Directors.
The erroneous claims made in the draft audit report
also do not mean that the departments do not have processes that need
improving. You may recall that the senior leadership team and I
conducted our own “audit” of the District and identified 32 system
problems that we are going to be working on. You may also recall the
thorough review conducted by the Star Commission, which focused on
personnel processes and was chaired by Garrett Boone, founder of the
Container Store. The Commission identified numerous processes that my
administration has to address.
You know, people told me that his job was going to be
tough and brutal. They were right. But it is not nearly as tough and
brutal as the life of a child who receives a poor education. So I have
assembled a team, whose common attribute is that they want to change
the world for kids and they have the courage to stand fast when the
chips are down. Every day in this District you have people stepping up
to help kids, including senior management. They are focused on the
real work. It is unfortunate that the preliminary, misleading and
inaccurate findings of the audit, have shined a questionable light on
the reputation and integrity of the talented staff I have hired with
the competency and skills to lead Dallas ISD to success.
I understand that there will be and should be questions about how the
work is getting done. You should know that your team is going to
continue to work with a sense of urgency. They are moving the ball
down the field and will continue to do what is in the best interest of
students and staff.
Mike Miles
