Leadership Changes at Houston Independent School District

The Houston Independent School District is experiencing leadership changes, affecting schools and the community.

News Summary

The Houston Independent School District is experiencing significant leadership changes, with 21 principals departing this school year, including Pershing Middle School’s principal. The district is facing challenges in stability as community members voice concerns about teacher turnover and leadership consistency. These shifts come amid a broader trend within HISD, where over 171 principals have left since the current superintendent took charge. The district is now seeking a new principal for Pershing Middle School and will gather community input on desired leadership qualities.

HOUSTON – The Houston Independent School District (HISD) is undergoing significant shifts in its leadership as Pershing Middle School principal Domiana Battah-Miari has announced her departure to take a position in another school district. This change is part of a broader trend, with HISD reporting a total of 21 principal departures by the end of the ongoing school year.

Battah-Miari’s exit follows principal changes at other schools within the district, including Burbank Middle School, Fleming Middle School, Field Elementary School, and Wheatley High School. Among these departing principals, five left for personal reasons while another five exited due to performance concerns. The district has indicated that 11 principals will be moving into new roles within HISD, such as assistant principalships and principal training programs. However, the district has not disclosed which specific schools will be impacted by these departures.

This year has been particularly tumultuous for Pershing Middle School. During the 2023-2024 academic year alone, the school has seen three changes in principal leadership. The school began the year under the leadership of Alvin Goldman, who was placed on administrative leave in October. Following Goldman’s leave, an interim principal took over, leading to Battah-Miari stepping in later in the school year. Upon her arrival, she appointed four new assistant principals.

The changes at Pershing have not gone unnoticed by the community. Families protested against school policies and the rapidly increasing teacher turnover just a month after Battah-Miari took on the principal role. The situation at the school has been marked by instability, as prior to Battah-Miari, the school has had a total of five principals, including interim leadership, since new management was appointed to HISD in June 2023.

In a broader context, the leadership shifts at HISD reflect pattern changes within the district that have seen over 171 principals leave their positions since Superintendent Mike Miles took over. As a response to these recent departures, the HISD Central Division has commenced the search for the next principal of Pershing Middle School. To facilitate this process, the district plans to conduct a survey to gather community input on the leadership profile desired for the new principal.

The ongoing turnover in leadership at HISD raises questions about stability and the future direction of the schools affected. As more principals depart, the district will need to address not only the immediate challenges of finding qualified candidates but also the broader issues of community trust and support within its schools.