Four school districts in the San Antonio area are in the process of electing new leaders this month, following turnovers that include retirements and unexpected resignations.
The search for superintendents is the latest in a three-year period in which dozens of superintendents have resigned statewide, including the leader of the North Side Independent School District.
The region’s second-largest district will begin interviewing next week to replace Brian Woods, who has been with NISD since 2012. Woods announced his retirement in October.
In a statement, NISD Board Chairman Karen Freeman said two weeks in February were scheduled for interviews, with the goal of nominating one finalist by March 1. .
But the board is in no hurry and will take more time if necessary, she said in an interview.
In a letter to parents, Mr. Freeman said, “We understand that change can be unsettling.” , we know will help us attract top talent to a very demanding job.”
The district received 34 applications from candidates in Texas and eight other states, Freeman told the report.
Changing of the guard at Somerset ISD
A recent study by the Texas Board of Education found that superintendents have been with their current school district for a median of three years. That makes a leader like outgoing Somerset ISD manager Saul Hinojosa an outlier.
Hinojosa, who joined Somerset as a teacher, has served as superintendent since 2007, becoming the region’s longest-serving leader.
On Tuesday, Jose Moreno, who has served as superintendent of the Robstown Independent School District since August 2018, was announced as the sole finalist to replace Hinojosa as leader of the 4,000-strong student district in southwestern Bexar County. rice field.
In a statement, Moreno said he was honored to have been selected.
He is now eligible for the position after entering the 21-day waiting period mandated by state law.
The educators have over 28 years of experience, including eight as superintendents.
Prior to working in Robstown, Moreno served as superintendent of La Vernia ISD, east of San Antonio, where he created the district’s first bilingual program and raised the district’s accountability scores, according to the release.
The reason for his resignation from La Vernia in 2017 was not shared, but the San Antonio Express News reported at the time that 13 students had been charged with sexual assault within La Vernia’s exercise program. Reportedly resigned months after being sexually assaulted after being accused of sexual assault.
Somerset spokeswoman Natalie Martinez said the district was aware of the incident at La Vernier.
“An investigation found that after Dr. Moreno learned of the incident, he took appropriate action and was commended by the school district for his leadership during that difficult time,” she said. “The superintendent’s search provides a thorough review of a candidate’s background. Dr. Moreno’s record at both the La Vernia ISD and the Robstown ISD is stellar.
Martinez added that the school district “is confident that Dr. Moreno will be an outstanding leader for this community and school district.”
Moreno was not available for comment on Wednesday.
Despite his resignation, Hinojosa told the San Antonio Report that he has no intention of leaving the educational world entirely, adding that he is considering several options.
“I’ve lived here for 20 years, and I thought this year would be a big year for our district, the 100th anniversary,” Hinojo said in an interview. “I just wanted to give back to my students in a different way.”
One of Hinojosa’s achievements is turning the Somerset ISD from an academically struggling district to an A in the state’s accountability rankings this year.
Hinojosa started working as a search consultant for Walsh Gallegos. Walsh Gallegos assists Texas school districts in screening and selecting superintendent candidates for board interviews.
Deadline at Judson ISD
After Janet Ball’s unexpected resignation as superintendent of the Judson Independent School District in November, its board has worked to find a new leader.
With local elections on the horizon, the school board is trying to complete the search and interview process for her replacement before three board members are up for election.
“We want to be able to make decisions without confusion,” Board Chairman Jennifer Rodriguez said in an interview. “If we have a new board member, this is a big transition and we want to make sure everything is ready before it happens.”
The community input and candidate recruitment will be done at the same time, said Rodriguez, with associates from search firms Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates planning to attend the existing advisory board and provide their guidance. We will be scheduling a meeting specifically to gather input to develop the resulting leadership profile. Candidate selection.
Information about these meetings is not yet available, but will be shared in the coming days.
“What’s really important to us is hearing from everyone who shares their views,” Rodriguez said. Create the leadership profile we are looking for to match.”
Judson’s alum Milton “Rob” Fields III has been serving as Interim Superintendent since December 1st.
A familiar name in the Southwest ISD
Two months after Ball resigned from Judson College, the Southwest Independent School District named Ball as its sole finalist for superintendents in January.
Ball began her teaching career in 1998 with the school district. The management board will be able to finalize her contract after her 21-day waiting period ends on February 8.
Lloyd Verstuyft is retiring from Southwest ISD after serving as leader since 2009.
