Crowd laughs and boos as Mike Miles gave HISD presentation to Houston City Council members

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- HISD Superintendent Mike Miles was subjected to shouting and outbursts from the public as he gave a presentation before the Houston City Council's economic development committee on Wednesday.

From the moment Miles walked into the City Council chambers on Wednesday, it was obvious this was not a crowd there to uplift him, as the room broke out in murmurs.

Miles has been giving presentations about the state accountability ratings since August, including one at Valley West Elementary, one of four schools that jumped from an F to an A rating. That room was full of district and school leaders.

"If I was in church, I would be repeating it again and asking for an amen after that!" Miles laughed as the room clapped, while he showed a map highlighting the improved academics across the district on Aug. 12.

The presentation on Wednesday was given to the public.

"This is the map of Houston today based on TEA's accountability ratings, and I just need one person to give me an amen," Miles said while showing a map highlighting the improved academics across the district. The public in attendance laughed and booed.

While Miles tried to highlight academic growth shown in state accountability ratings and his new education system, council members mostly asked pointed questions about the public's trust in the district, failing school infrastructure, teacher retention, and enrollment.

"We do a disservice to teachers and kids when you hear the nonsense. It's a disservice when there is a lack of professionalism and poo-pooing the results of teachers who work really hard and the kids, if nothing else, I would listen more if you just celebrated our kids," Miles said.

It's not uncommon for public comments at committee meetings to be short-lived, but that was not the case on Wednesday as members of the public took their opportunity to turn their jeering and shouting into public statements. Miles was invited to stay and listen to public comment, but he left immediately following his remarks.

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