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Hinojosa On Being DISD's Interim Leader: 'I'll Be Here For ... However Long It Takes'

Bill Zeeble
/
KERA News
Michael Hinojosa takes his old seat, second from right, in the horseshoe at the Dallas ISD administration building.

He’s back. Former Dallas superintendent Michael Hinojosa was unanimously named interim superintendent by the school board late Friday.

In the same session, trustees accepted Mike Miles’ resignation. In a mixed vote, they approved giving him a $125,000 “separation” fee plus $150,000 set aside in escrow as a bonus, had he stayed through the end of his 2017 contract.

Hinojosa last served Dallas ISD from 2005 to 2011. While here, he oversaw improved student performance, but also had to lay off hundreds of teachers after a $64 million financial mistake. In time, the budget problem was fixed.

He’ll earn $25,000 a month as interim, and stay as long as the board wants and needs him. He’s vowed to continue policies and reforms put in place by Miles.

Hinojosa spoke with KERA about returning to the district.

“My role is to help the process along,” Hinojosa told KERA. “I told the board I’ll be here 10 days, 10 weeks, 10 months, 10 years, however long it takes to get the next person ready to go.”

 Listen to the conversation:

Hinojosa has lived in Dallas since returning from Cobb County Georgia last year where he was superintendent for three years. Currently, he works for the AASA, The School Superintendents Association, and the Latino Superintendent’s Association.  

Bill Zeeble has been a full-time reporter at KERA since 1992, covering everything from medicine to the Mavericks and education to environmental issues.