HOUSTON — Congressman Al Green is formally requesting a federal investigation into claims that Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles diverted Texas tax dollars to out-of-state charter schools that he headed up in Colorado.
A Spectrum News Texas report highlighted a pair of million dollar-plus checks allegedly sent from Third Future Schools in Texas to its campuses in Colorado. The report accused Miles of sending Texas tax dollars out of state while he led the charter system.
Miles has refuted these claims, saying the report "either intentionally or through gross incompetence, mischaracterized commonplace financial arrangements between charter schools and the charter management organizations that support them."
Wednesday night, the congressman posted on X that he issued a request to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to independently investigate the claims.
Green joins mounting calls for an investigation into Miles. Earlier this month, Rep. Sylvia Garcia requested the U.S. Department of Education also look into the allegations.
This comes as the district is set to discuss a potential new bond proposal. Some groups are pushing back, saying a new bond proposal needs to wait until there is an investigation into district finances.
The Greater Houston Coalition for Justice said they aren't opposed to an HISD bond in the future, but now is not the time with Mike Miles in charge.
Meanwhile, the district is moving forward by holding community meetings about the potential proposal. HISD leaders say aging infrastructure needs to be addressed, as highlighted by recent storms.
They're suggesting a bond of $4 to $5 billion to address the district's most urgent needs.
A community meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at Cornelius Elementary School in southeast Houston.