HOUSTON – Houston Independent School District’s Superintendent Mike Miles addressed and clarified communication on the district’s performance screening after more than 100 principles got notices last week they interpreted as threats that if they didn’t improve, they could lose their jobs.
Miles said the district does not plan to fire more than 100 principals.
The district used a proficiency screener to rate its principals and cased on performance reviews, 125 principals have demonstrated the leadership qualities necessary to keep their jobs for the next school year.
At the same time, 117 others, nearly half of all HISD principals, must show significant improvement to keep their jobs next year, which concerned many community members.
Miles addressed the board on Thursday, clarifying that the rating system will not be used in the evaluation of principals or other campus administrators in any adverse employment decision for 2023-2024.
HISD superintendent released the following statement after the board meeting:
“The district wants to clarify prior communication regarding the use of the proficiency screener. The proficiency screener rating will not be used in the evaluation of principals or other campus administrators in any adverse employment decisions for 2023-2024.
The Superintendent will continue to use instructional data and student achievement data in the exercise of the discretion outlined in board policy DNB (LOCAL): “When relevant to the decision, written evaluations of a professional employee’s performance, as documented to date, and any other information the administration determines to be appropriate shall be considered in decisions affecting contract status. This communication supersedes any prior communications regarding the same.”