Hello Houston,

We've been closely watching HISD's student enrollment. And this week we got official numbers.

This year, enrollment has dropped by nearly 5% — or more than 8,300 students — which is a steeper decline than what district leaders expected. The loss could cost the district $51 million in annual state funding. See how your campus was affected here.

Must-reads:

• HISD investigated officer for misusing his badge after taking driver’s passport in off-duty crash.
• HISD will phase out popular programs at 4 magnet high schools, despite community opposition.

Claire Partain, HISD reporter Claire.Partain@houstonchronicle.com

Photo by: Photo illustration by Susan Barber; Photo by Godofredo A. Vásquez

HISD's Mike Miles helped broker a nearly $1M outside contract. Can he do that?

State-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles played a central role in negotiations for a nearly $1 million contract between the charter system International Leadership of Texas and a Colorado company, according to emails obtained by the Chronicle.

Miles used his private Gmail to send a proposal he co-authored with the company, Education Partners, and emailed the charter system about the company’s costs.

The firm’s services — plus the free use of HISD’s curriculum and training by Miles himself — were intended to help the charter system replicate HISD’s controversial reforms and turn around five struggling campuses.

The consulting company is led by Dwight Jones, who is the corporate board president of a separate charter school system that Miles started, called Third Future Schools.

It does not appear Miles informed the state-appointed board of his outside work.

“Superintendent Miles is required to inform the HISD Board of Managers if he is compensated for work outside of the District,” an HISD spokesperson wrote. “The Superintendent received no compensation from Education Partners or IL Texas, so there was nothing to report to the Board.”

Read our investigation here and takeaways from the investigation here. 

- Nusaiba Mizan

Reporter's Notebook

Two days after he likely broke the world record for his age in the half-marathon, 11-year-old Leo Mendoza was already training again.

Leo, a fifth grader at Kolter Elementary, ran the Houston Half Marathon in around 1 hour, 23 minutes — or 6 minutes, 22 seconds per mile. 

He's been running with his mom since he was 7. But she saw his potential even earlier. At 18 months, he was running around the neighborhood.

Since then, Leo's formed a friendly competition with his mom, a former Junior Olympian, and joined a tight-knit group of youth runners in Houston.

When I met Leo at Memorial Park's track this week, several runners recognized him and told him congratulations. Soon, he was surrounded by a half-dozen friends, all jumping, chatting and laughing as they jogged along.

I'm always impressed at the sheer talent Houston's young people have. It's great to see kids find their niche and a sense of belonging. And as someone who's trying (and failing) to master a 10k, Leo's story might just push me to work a little harder.

What Else Happened This Week

Photo by: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle Here's where HISD students and teachers go when they leave the district More than 13,200 students have left Houston ISD since the state takeover in June 2023. While hundreds of them left public school entirely, most moved to nearby districts or charters. Read More

Photo by: Courtesy Of Amy Swint-Mendoza This HISD fifth grader likely broke a world record at Houston Half Marathon Are you faster than a fifth grader? Leo Mendoza, an 11-year-old fifth grader at HISD's Kolter Elementary, ran 13.1 miles in 1 hour, 22 minutes - less than 6 and a half minutes per mile. Read More

Photo by: Raquel Natalicchio, Staff Photographer Christian schools make up most of Houston campuses approved for vouchers so far Around one-third of Houston's private schools, not including early childcare centers, will accept vouchers next year. Is your school on the initial list? Read More

Photo by: Jon Shapley, Staff Photographer When is spring break? Here's a look at dates for Houston-area schools. Many Houston-area school districts are taking recess from March 9 to 13 for spring break, as well as for President's Day and Good Friday. Read More

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer HISD may hire uncertified teachers in core subjects until 2029 despite state law A new state law bans uncertified teachers from teaching core subjects, but HISD will try to delay compliance until 2029. Read More

Photo by: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle OPINION: Mike Miles’ HISD takeover has major wins — and 1 fatal flaw Where's the leadership, asks columnist Lisa Falkenberg? HISD superintendent Mike Miles' changes to curriculum, teacher evaluations and pay won't last if teachers and parents don’t believe in them. Read More

The Calendar Ahead

• Jan. 19: MLK Jr. Day, no class
• Jan. 21: Pre-K applications open
• Jan. 29:Board hearings and workshop 
• Feb. 7: School Choice Fair at Mandarin Immersion Magnet School

Meet The Team

Photo by: Susan Barber

Our HISD coverage is fueled by reporting from Megan Menchaca, Nusaiba Mizan and Claire Partain. Laura Isensee is our education editor, and Jennifer Radcliffe is local news editor. 

You can reach out to any of them by emailing them at their firstname.lastname@houstonchronicle.com, filling out this survey or by replying directly to this email.