A long line of leaders of Dallas schools has come and gone since August 1884 when a man named W. A. Boles was elected superintendent.
In a quarter century, no Dallas school district superintendent has lasted more than six years. Through the years, there have been some retirements, resignations, firings, a few interims and even a prison sentence.
Who’s lasted the longest? You have to go back to Warren Travis White who began his began his stint in 1946, leading the district for more than two decades through the post-World War II years. He retired in 1968, and a high school in North Dallas was named in his honor.
In contrast, Yvonne Gonzalez lasted less than a year on the job in 1997. She resigned amid an FBI investigation of her lavish spending -- $16,000 worth of furniture using district funds.
Current Superintendent Mike Miles has been in his position a little more than a year and is now at the center of an independent investigation into allegations that he interfered with a contract bid. The results of the investigation will be turned in to board members today.
Here’s a list superintendents who have served during the last 20 years:
Mike Miles, 2012 to present
Michael Hinojosa, May 12, 2005 to Jun 30, 2011
Resigned to take a job as superintendent in Atlanta’s Cobb County School District.
Mike Moses, Jan. 1, 2001 to Aug. 31, 2004
Resigned and now runs School Executive Consulting, Inc., an education search firm.
Waldemar “Bill” Rojas, Aug. 1, 1999 to July 5, 2000
Rojas didn’t get along with the school board and was fired.
James H. Hughey, appointed acting superintendent on September 24, 1997 and then superintendent in May 1998. He served until a new superintendent was hired in August 1999 .
Yvonne Gonzalez, Jan. 9, 1997 to Sept. 17, 1997
Resigned amid a spending scandal. An FBI investigation found she used $16,000 in district money to buy furniture for her personal use. She ended up serving 10 months in federal prison.
Chad Woolery, Dec. 1, 1993 to Aug. 5, 1996
Resigned just before the new school year after taking a job as president of Voyager Foundation. But his resignation raised questions about potential conflict of interest because the district awarded the company some contracts after he left.
