Houston School District faces backlash over $870 million in unauthorized spending, transparency and trust at stake

The Houston Independent School District (HISD) is facing scrutiny after Superintendent Mike Miles admitted to a $870 million procurement oversight. The unauthorized purchases, made between August 2023 and December 2024, were conducted without board approval. Miles described the mistake as a “good-faith error” and vowed to implement changes, including hiring an attorney to oversee future spending. The incident has raised concerns about transparency, accountability, and the impact on educational resources for local schools.