Decision comes after extensive Board of Managers application and selection process  

AUSTIN, Texas – June 1, 2023 – The Texas Education Agency (TEA) today announced the appointment of the nine-member Board of Managers for the Houston Independent School District (ISD) and the selection of a new superintendent.  

“Over the past few months, we have been heartened to see so many Houstonians eagerly step up to serve their community and the students of Houston ISD,” said Texas Education Commissioner, Mike Morath. “We were looking for people from a wide array of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives who believe all children can learn and achieve at high levels when properly supported and who can work together. I believe the governing team I am naming today will work as a unified team, dedicated to improving student outcomes and supporting educators.” 

Commissioner Morath named Mike Miles as the new superintendent of Houston ISD. Superintendent Miles began working today under a 21-day interim contract until he receives formal approval from the Board of Managers. 

Miles is an experienced educational leader with an established track record of success improving outcomes for Texas students, including in the second largest school district in the state. In his prior educational leadership roles as the superintendent of the Dallas Independent School District and the Harrison School District in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and as the founder and CEO of Third Future Schools, he implemented key systemic changes that resulted in significant growth in student outcomes in each school system. 

Commissioner Morath appointed the following individuals to the Houston ISD Board of Managers:  

Audrey Momanaee: Ms. Momanaee is a Houston ISD parent and native Houstonian who grew up in a family of public school teachers and developed a strong sense of public service. Ms. Momanaee is an experienced litigation attorney and advocate for pro bono legal work, handling numerous cases to help families across Houston.  

Ric Campo: For more than 40 years, Mr. Campo has leveraged his energy, experience, and advocacy to build a better Houston. He has served on numerous public and private boards, in service to families, children, reducing homelessness, and promoting the city of Houston. Mr. Campo is the grandson of immigrant farmworkers and was the first in his family to graduate from college before successfully building his own company in Houston. 

Angela Lemond Flowers: An experienced educator, Ms. Lemond Flowers began her teaching career at Jesse H. Jones High School in Houston ISD, where her mother also taught. Ms. Lemond Flowers has devoted her career to the advancement of children’s education. She has served as a high school English teacher and in administrative leadership for over twenty years in Houston-area schools. She is the proud mother of four, including two Houston ISD graduates. 

Michelle Cruz Arnold, Ph.D.: The mother of a Houston ISD student, Dr. Cruz Arnold earned a Ph.D. in Education Policy and Planning and has spent more than twenty years as an education policy advocate working to create college and career opportunities for students. Dr. Cruz Arnold is a proud Houstonian who currently leads government relations and advocacy work for a national non-profit college access organization.  

Cassandra Auzenne Bandy: Ms. Bandy is a proud Houstonian, Houston ISD graduate, and parent of fourth-generation Houston ISD students. She is an active PTO volunteer at her children’s school. She is a chemical engineer by training and currently works as a business strategy manager at a global consulting firm. 

Janette Garza Lindner: Ms. Garza Lindner is a devoted wife and working mom of two children who attend HISD schools. She is a management consultant within the energy industry, and her civic advocacy spans education, the arts, and making neighborhoods in her community safer and healthier. A life-long Texan, Ms. Garza Lindner was born and raised in Brownsville and has lived in Houston for more than 20 years. 

Rolando Martinez: Mr. Martinez is a native Houstonian, a Houston ISD graduate, and a parent of three children who all attend Houston ISD schools. He currently serves on the Houston ISD District Advisory Committee and works as a human resources manager at a large healthcare system in the Texas Medical Center. 

Paula Mendoza: Ms. Mendoza is a longtime Houston resident, the mother of a Houston ISD graduate, and a committed community leader and entrepreneur. She is a small business owner and has demonstrated her commitment to the Houston community through service on numerous non-profit and governmental boards, including the University of Houston Board of Regents, Texas Ethics Commission, and Texas State Board of Public Accountancy. 

Adam P. Rivon: Mr. Rivon is the parent of a Houston ISD student and is the founder and owner of a small business in the real estate industry. Mr. Rivon proudly served his country in the United States Army, earning a Bronze Star for leadership as an Army Artillery Officer during combat operations in Iraq. 

The appointed Board of Managers today temporarily replaces the current elected board of trustees and will be responsible for overseeing the management of the school district. The Board of Managers will hold public board meetings (the first meeting will be held on Thursday, June 8) and has the same legal requirements and obligations as the elected Board of Trustees. This includes holding all meetings in public, allowing for public comment, holding public hearings, and posting all required budget and tax information for public review and discussion.    

The newly appointed Board of Managers will work in collaboration with the new superintendent to ensure that Houston ISD educators and staff have the necessary tools and resources at their disposal to facilitate student success in the classroom and beyond. As part of their duties as the governing body of HISD, the Board of Managers will also provide strategic leadership and oversight of the new superintendent. This will involve getting feedback from multiple district stakeholders, working to improve support for teachers, getting schools resources they need, and laying a foundation for success for students in the district.  

In addition, the Board of Managers will work with the new superintendent to accomplish the exit criteria set forth by TEA that must occur before the transition back to the elected board. Specifically, the exit criteria that address the underlying causes for intervention include no multi-year failing campuses; a special education program in full compliance with all state and federal statutory requirements; and evidence of improved governance that demonstrates procedures and behavior focused on improved outcomes for all students in Houston ISD.  

Background of Agency Intervention and Board of Managers Process 

On March 15th, Commissioner Morath announced TEA’s intent to appoint a Board of Managers for Houston ISD, an action required under the bipartisan law, House Bill (HB) 1842, passed in 2015 by the Texas legislature. Applications for the Board of Managers came from Houstonians of all backgrounds. 

Total Applications: 

462: Total Applications 

422: Total Applications within HISD boundaries 

199 Male / 260 Female / 3 Other 

180 African American, 52 Hispanic, 154 White, 21 Asian, 35 Two or More Races, 20 Other 

22 HS Diploma, 118 Bachelors, 198 Masters, 124 Doctorate (38 with Doctorate in Education) 

238 attended the Lone Star Governance training. 227 completed the training and were eligible to advance in the selection process (some candidates left early or did not return for Day 2 of the training). 52 were interviewed.  

Superintendent selection criteria 

Per statutory authority granted to the Commissioner, by HB 1842, the Commissioner of the Texas Education Agency is required to appoint a Board of Managers and Superintendent. The agency conducted interviews with candidates from around the state and around the country.  Primary consideration was given to candidates with a strong track record of improving outcomes for students in prior school system leadership roles, especially when outcomes were improved in schools with chronically low student achievement. Additionally, candidates were evaluated for competencies in several key areas, including curriculum and instructional leadership, student support services, talent management, performance management, systems leadership, and community engagement and communication.  

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