The Houston school district is cutting hundreds of jobs as it prepares for its first academic year under state-appointed leadership.
Houston Public Media reports that some district employees already have been told their positions are being eliminated, and more cuts are expected to be made during the 2023-24 school year, new superintendent Mike Miles said.
Between 500 and 600 jobs are being eliminated in the district's chief academic office – a staff reduction of about 30%– along with about 40 human-resource positions. Miles says more job cuts are coming in departments such as communications, professional development and school leadership.
Miles was appointed June 1 by Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath, who also replaced the district's elected board with state-appointed managers. The state intervened because of mismanagement and alleged illegal activity by previous board members and also because Wheatley High School had a string of failing academic ratings from the state.
Streamlining district operations has been a priority for Miles, who said Houston's central office grew by 61% during the last six years in terms of staff size and expenditures – while student enrollment declined by about 27,000.
Miles said employees whose jobs are being eliminated can apply for other, open positions.
