DALLAS -- Mike Miles announced Tuesday that he's resigning as superintendent of the Dallas Independent School District.
"I have decided that now is the time where I can step aside as superintendent, confidently knowing that the work will continue," Miles said during a 9:30 a.m. press conference.
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Miles became superintendent in July 2012. During the press conference he said he and his cabinet "accepted the challenge because we knew what was at stake," while listing their accomplishments over the years.
"I know of no other district that has been able to accomplish as much in the same period of time," he added.
Deputy Superintendent Ann Smisko will take over as the interim superintendent until a replacement is found. She joined DISD in 2012.
Smisko spoke at the press conference and said she and the cabinet are committed to continuing the progress set forth by Miles. She emphasized that a big priority for her will be recruiting and hiring quality teachers.
The district's board has been actively looking for a replacement, a source told News 8, which is one of the major reasons for Miles stepping down.
Miles will be returning to Colorado where his wife and son live.
"A position like this takes extraordinary commitment and sacrifice, but I also have a commitment to my family," Miles said. "It's time to rejoin them in Colorado."
Miles had his contract extended by two years last year with his salary at $300,000. He reportedly wanted three amendments to his contract, including:
- Board members would follow their own policy
- They would not actively search for another superintendent while Miles was still there
- He could access all the money of his contract now rather than wait for 2017
Miles says resigning at the end of the school year "made sense" and he will stay through the next board meeting on Thursday before leaving for Colorado.
Attorneys are currently working on a financial settlement. Miles said a severance package is being talked about, but he doesn't know the details.
Miles and DISD have been at the center of controversy since he took the position nearly three years ago.
Critics are now accusing DISD of playing a "financial shell game" with tax dollars. Parents allege officials within DISD took money from "at-risk" students and paid for magnet and elite schools. They claim DISD was also using the money to build up financial reserves.
The district's budget director resigned this month.
A former supporter of Miles recently said she wanted to see him terminated after he failed to fire a high-ranking employee who had been accused of bullying and lying.
Just last week the president of the NAACP in Dallas told News 8 that the organization was preparing to publicly ask for Miles' resignation.
Miles said he's used to opposition because he's been a public servant his entire life, but he is still committed to the public good.
"It's not the first time a couple of people wanted to get rid of me," Miles said during the press conference.
"I think that kind of criticism comes with the territory," he said.
Mayor Mike Rawlings spoke at a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
"I'm not surprised. I'm amazed he's stayed around as long as he has," the mayor said.
He told the media that it's "critical" that the board find a new superintendent as soon as possible and keep Miles' programs in place. The mayor says he had hoped Miles would have stuck around for another 120 days to help pass the next bond package, but understands why he's resigning.
Mayor Rawlings added that in the end, it's not about Miles, "it's about 60,000 school children and the future of our city."
President of the Board of Trustees of the Dallas Independent School District Eric Cowan released the following statement Tuesday afternoon:
"Over the past 3 years, Dallas ISD has taken bold steps with one common goal: to improve the quality of education we provide to the students of Dallas ISD. It hasn't always been easy, and it hasn't always been comfortable, but through it all, Superintendent Miles stayed the course and continued to push for transformation. The Board is committed to working together to quickly find new, strong leadership for our school district, and we are dedicated to keeping the momentum going on the many initiatives begun by Superintendent Miles and his team. We are working to schedule a meeting at 5:30 p.m. Friday to discuss next steps. I appreciate Superintendent Miles' investment in and service to Dallas ISD, and I wish him the best of luck in his next endeavor."
When asked for his opinion on the news, Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price -- who has called for Miles' resignation in the past -- said, "God is good, all the time."
"He's taken us back 40 years, it's a real travesty," he said.
The next person chosen for the job will be DISD's ninth superintendent in 17 years. In the past 25 years, no one has stayed in the position longer than six years.
