Editor who oversaw The News editorial pages named sole finalist for Charter School Network publication

A key editor of the Dallas Morning News leaves the newspaper to lead a growing network of public charter schools.

Brendan Miniter, editorial editor and general manager of The News’s ePaper, was chosen today as the sole finalist for Texas Superintendent of Schools Great Hearts. State law requires public school boards, including charters, to wait 21 days after nominating a finalist before formally hiring for the position.

Miniter said he was touched by the opportunity to lead the growing charter network, whose emphasis on classical education reflects his own love of history, literature and language. Officials said he would start school by the end of the year.

“Education has always been important to me because it has changed my life,” said Miniter, who grew up in rural upstate New York.

Miniter, who has worked for The News since 2018, spent a decade as associate editor of the Wall Street Journal’s editorial page. He worked with Republican strategist Karl Rove on two books and with former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels on another.

Miniter moved to North Texas in 2011, working for the George W. Bush Presidential Center. As director of scholarships and editorial content, he led the creation of the permanent exhibition on the Bush presidency.

Grant Moise, president and editor of The News, said Miniter’s dynamic track record and willingness to listen to all aspects of issues make him an excellent steward of the editorial board, which serves as the paper’s institutional voice on issues. and the concerns facing the community.

“Brendan brought a keen intelligence to this work that helps provide great insight,” Moise said, “but it’s his heart that’s so big that – having empathy – matched his IQ to his emotional intelligence to bring such a compassionate perspective to the editorial pages.

In August, Moise promoted Miniter to take on additional responsibilities as Managing Director to oversee strategies related to the digital version of The News. Moise said Miniter will continue at the newspaper until the end of the month. A national search will be carried out to replace it.

Miniter said it would be difficult to quit journalism, but he has enjoyed education since he was young, working trimming apple trees to help pay for his tuition at a Catholic school that included classical education . In college, he had to drop out twice because of his finances. Friends of the family helped him return to school.

He received a BA in History from George Mason University and an MBA from the University of Virginia. During his studies he worked with at-risk students as a tutor in the Fairfax area.

He will join Great Hearts amid a pandemic straining schools nationwide and as the network seeks to expand across the state.

The charter, which began in Arizona, has 12 campuses in Texas, including a handful in Irving, Arlington and Fort Worth. Next year, Great Hearts plans to expand its Irving campus to include a middle school and open additional campuses in Fort Worth and San Antonio.

Dan Scroggin, co-founder of Great Hearts who currently serves as Acting Superintendent, said Miniter’s varied experiences and dedication as a lifelong learner uniquely position him to be the strong leader the network needs. to oversee his Texas schools.

The DMN Education Lab deepens coverage and conversation on pressing education issues critical to the future of North Texas.

The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from The Beck Group, Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, The Meadows Foundation, Solutions Journalism Network , Southern Methodist University and Todd A. Williams Family Foundation. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of Education Lab journalism.