Houston Superintendent Mike Miles: This is an attempt 'to help kids get a better education'

Houston Independent School District Superintendent Mike Miles assured parents during a July 12 meeting that his New Education System Aligned (NESA) reform program aims to benefit every child, as the initiative has added 57 new campuses.

“We’re interested in all kids,” Miles said in a video posted on the district's Facebook page. “We know that not all kids are getting the same resources. In time, you’re going to see that this is an attempt not to do anything nefarious, but to help kids get a better education."

According to a report by KPRC, the NESA program began with 28 schools, but interest from other campuses compelled the school board to invite others to apply for a period ending July 11. KPRC reported that NESA looks to assist the district’s struggling schools and teachers with additional support.

“I was pleasantly surprised when several principals embraced whole school systemic reform early and asked to be included in the New Education System,” Miles told KPRC. “I am overwhelmingly proud that these many HISD school leaders are ready to take bold action to improve outcomes for all students and eradicate the persistent achievement and opportunity gaps in our district.”

According to KPRC, teachers at the struggling campuses are required to reapply for their jobs, causing Houston Federation of Teachers (HFT) President Jackie Anderson to tell KHOU that the union was concerned that NESA schools will be treated differently. Miles' announcement of the addition of new schools to the NESA program came on the heels of more than 500 job cuts from the HISD central office, KHOU reported.

The majority of those cuts impacted the human resources department and Chief Academic Office, according to KTRK. More than 40 job cuts were expected in the HR department, while the Chief Academic Office could lose up to 600, accounting for up to 30% of the HISD workforce, the report stated.