Houston ISD, now in its fourth year under the Texas Education Agency’s intervention, has seen a wave of departures among top officials.
They include senior ranking employees to members of the state-appointed board of managers, who preside over board meetings and vote on HISD decisions.
Recently, rumors were circulated about HISD Superintendent Mike Miles resigning. They originated from the screenshot of a deleted post by Context Corner, a North Texas outlet. It also named an interim superintendent.
The rumors have been disproved. Context Corner has since issued a correction and removed the inaccurate post. In response to a query from the Defender, HISD sent the following statement:
“It is unfortunate when unsubstantiated claims on social media begin to drive legitimate news coverage. HISD has taken the position that we will not routinely respond to social media rumors or speculation. However, given the questions we have received regarding a claim posted by Context Corner, we want to be clear: There is no truth to the rumor that Superintendent Mike Miles is leaving HISD. We are addressing this as a one-time exception and do not intend to respond to unsubstantiated social media rumors going forward.”
Miles’ contract runs through June 2030. Since September 2025, however, several top-ranking employees have left the school district, including:
Jessica Neyman, Chief Human Resources Officer:
Neyman was removed from her post effective Sept. 3, 2025, with Deputy Chief of Human Resources Norma Castillo stepping in as her replacement. She had joined HISD in October 2023 under Superintendent Mike Miles.
HISD did not explain the reasoning behind the change at the time.
Neyman’s resignation reportedly came with a $123,422 settlement, according to an agreement signed by district leadership in November. Her annual salary was $237,350, and was scheduled for a 4% hike starting Sept. 1.
Alexandra Elizondo, Chief of Public Affairs and Communications:
Elizondo announced her departure effective Oct. 10, 2025, citing personal health reasons.
She explained that she had been diagnosed with stage III cancer five years earlier and, while in remission, needed to prioritize her family and ongoing health.
During her tenure, she oversaw a redesign of the district’s branding and materials.
Daniel Soliz, Central Division Chief:
Soliz left the district in March 2026 “to pursue a new opportunity,” according to a brief district announcement.
West Division Chief Kasey Bailey took over leadership of both the central and west divisions. Soliz had held several posts within HISD, including deputy chief of schools, since being hired in the summer of 2023.
Kristen Hole, Deputy Superintendent:
The most recent high-profile exit, Hole resigned on Sept. 17, 2026, to rejoin her family, who had already relocated out of state.
Hole had been elevated to the newly created deputy superintendent role in February 2026 after previously serving as chief of academics. She oversaw major initiatives, including the launch of AI-focused “Future 2” schools and a controversial overhaul of special education services that reassigned students with disabilities to new campuses.
Michelle Cruz Arnold, Board of Managers member:
On the governance side, Cruz Arnold resigned from HISD’s state-appointed Board of Managers, with the TEA announcing the change in July 2026.
She had served roughly three years on the board and said she felt it was “the right and natural time” to conclude her service. The TEA immediately appointed Karen Duffy, a former teacher and HISD parent, to fill the vacancy.
Broader turnover:
A report this past August found that more than 4,000 teachers had also left HISD, roughly one in three of the district’s educators.
