An independent audit of Third Future Schools – Texas Network has expressed “Substantial doubt about the organization’s ability to continue as a going concern.”
Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles was a founder of Third Future and officially stepped away from operating it to take on the state-appointed superintendency job. Until recently, however, he was paid to do consulting work for Third Future but ceased after a report by Josephine Lee of the Texas Observer came out detailing his activities.
Miles’ sister Shirley Miles, a co-founder of the chain of charter schools which began in Denver, remains at Third Future as deputy chief of schools and operations.
According to the audit done by the firm of Mauldin & Jenkins, as of June 30, 2025 Third Future had a deficit in net assets of about $7.4 million.
Despite this, several Texas school districts have entered into partnerships with Third Future with the goal of improving 12 struggling schools. Which, if nothing else, might well improve the bottom line for Third Future.
Or as the audit notes: “At the end of 2025, Third Future Schools ceased operations at several locations operating at a deficit and in 2026 and 2027, replaced those operations with new school
agreements expected to operate within budgeted parameters.”
We tried to reach Third Future Schools so we could get their response to the audit. We called the contact number for Third Future listed online but that took us to the original school they started. The receptionist gave us an email contact for the central organization but so far we haven’t heard back. We will update once we hear from them.
In the meantime, you can read it for yourself:
