Miles on cabinet appointees: 'Veteran HISD leaders with the expertise and vision of some of Texas’ most exceptional education talent'

Newly installed Houston Independent School District (HISD) Superintendent Mike Miles entered his first full week on the job on Monday, with an entry on his lengthy to-do list having been completed. 

Miles, whom the Texas Education Agency (TEA) appointed to HISD’s highest post as part of its takeover of the largest public school district in the state, announced the members of his administration.

“The team brings together veteran HISD leaders with the expertise and vision of some of Texas’ most exceptional education talent,” he said in a statement obtained by Houston NBC affiliate KPRC. “These appointments are effective immediately, and just the first in a series of leadership appointments that will be made in the coming weeks.”

According to KPRC, the initial appointees to the superintendent’s cabinet are Kerri Briggs, chief of staff; division superintendents Orlando Riddick, Luz Martinez and Imelda de la Guardia; Jim Terry, chief of finance and business services; Wanda Paul, chief operations officer; Kristen Dobson Hole, chief academic officer; Sandi Massey, chief of leadership and professional development; Catosha Woods, general counsel and Scott Gilhousen, chief information officer. 

Miles said his slate possesses the experience and expertise to lead HISD, which is the first largest public urban school district to fall under TEA control. 

“Their collective experience and expertise make this one of the most skilled education leadership teams in the nation,” the superintendent added in the statement. "More important than that, they share the clear and ambitious vision to implement systemwide reform in HISD that improves student outcomes for all HISD students, eradicates the massive achievement gaps for black and brown students and provides a full set of education experiences to prepare all HISD graduates for the year 2035 and beyond.”

The TEA’s appointment of Miles and the HISD Board of Managers both took place on June 1, which was the first official day of the takeover, Houston Daily reported. 

Miles is on a temporary three-week agreement until he’s formally approved for the position, the publication reported.