Texas leader calls for federal investigation into Houston ISD

U.S. Rep. Al Green (D-Houston) and other Houston leaders are calling for a federal investigation into Houston ISD, Texas’ largest school district, as it enters its first year under state-appointed leadership.

In a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, Green said he would like the State Department to conduct a “thorough independent investigation” that stems from the allegations against Superintendent Mike Miles , alleging he diverted funds to his former charter school network, Third Future Schools.

“Although it has been reported that various state agencies, such as the Texas Education Agency, have acknowledged that they are aware of this transfer and intend to investigate, I believe the Department of Justice or the Department of Education conducting a thorough independent investigation is warranted to ensure transparency and accountability and restore public trust,” Green wrote.

Green’s federal request comes amid a series of district-wide protests, in which Houston community members have organized against HISD leadership decisions, such as mass layoffs, cuts budget cuts in departments and forcing the resignation of principals who had previously been rewarded by HISD for being “the best.” things district leaders have to offer.

“Amidst cut budgets, layoffs, and the state takeover of HISD, the people of Houston and Texas deserve to know if funds intended to educate our children are instead being used to cover the deficits of another’s schools State,” Green wrote.

Earlier this month, Spectrum News reported that Miles was funneling Texas taxpayer dollars to his Colorado charter school network. Miles denied the allegations and called the reports “baseless.” In the weeks that followed, several Houston leaders and the Houston Federation of Teachers, the school district’s largest teachers union, called on Miles to resign from his state-appointed position.

Besides Green, other Texas leaders, including U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Houston), state Sen. Molly Cook (D-Houston), and several Texas House lawmakers have called for action .