Cypress Edition | December 2023

Killian set to lead Cy-Fair ISD From the cover

The overview

Challenges • Teacher and staff retention and support • Implementation of equitable practices • Discipline and social-emotional/behavioral health and safety • Community disagreements about curriculum and pedagogy • Growth of the district “I believe in leading with honesty and integrity, setting high expectations, striving for continual growth and treating all students the same. I look forward to working with the district and community to develop CFISD students into the burgeoning leaders of tomorrow,” Killian said in a statement.

compared to 57.6% in CFISD. As part of the superintendent search process, ocials with Hanover Research surveyed CFISD stakeholders and identied the following strengths and challenges the new superintendent would be facing: Strengths • Diversity and inclusion • Community support and involvement • High-quality academic and enrichment programming • Leadership • Finances, resources and facilities

The selection of this lone nalist was unanimously supported by the board, including its three newly elected members, who were allowed to interview Killian and his wife the day after the Nov. 7 election, ocials said. Trustees each made statements of approval during the Nov. 13 meeting announcing his selection. Killian is moving from a district of about 25,000 students to one with an enrollment of 118,000. PfISD received a “B” rating in the Texas Education Agency’s accountability rating system in 2021-22. The district’s racial demographics are similar to CFISD’s, with nearly 50% of the student population being Hispanic, but a smaller percentage of its enrollment is classied as economically disadvantaged—45.7% in PfISD

Notable achievements

Killian’s superintendent roles

Poteet ISD : 2004-06 2022-23 enrollment: 1,837 Human ISD : 2006-10 2022-23 enrollment: 3,717 Hutto ISD : 2010-17 2022-23 enrollment: 9,620 Pugerville ISD : 2017-23 2022-23 enrollment: 25,445 Cy-Fair ISD : Eective 2024 2022-23 enrollment: 118,010

Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 Superintendent of the Year

183

Region 13’s Superintendent of the Year in 2015

Austin

290

Texas Superintendent of the Year nalist in 2022

Houston

Helped PfISD pass $367M bond package, voter-approved tax rate election and attendance credit election in 2022

San Antonio

Following a tax rate election, presented a balanced budget with sta raises while lowering PfISD’s tax rate in 2023

SOURCES: CYFAIR ISD, PFLUGERVILLE ISD, TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

GULF OF MEXICO

Education background

Bachelor’s degree in political science from Southwest Texas State University

Master’s degree in educational administration from Texas A&M International University

Doctorate of philosophy in educational administration from Texas A&M University

How we got here

Employee opinions

vacancies statewide. The rm collected stakeholder input to narrow the eld of candidates for trustees to interview. The board considered more than 4,000 distinct survey responses. Independent from the ocial search process, the Cy-Fair chapter of the American Federation of Teachers surveyed 865 CFISD employees and found most wanted a hands-on, relationship- building superintendent who has classroom experience. Based on board input Nov. 13, Killian ts the bill.

Following 12 years in the district, Henry announced his plans to retire at the end of 2023. “This is the hardest decision I have ever had to make. ... The friends I’ve made, being involved in the community and seeing so many dedicated educators guide our students to reach their goals has been a blessing,” Henry said in a May 8 statement. The CFISD board hired a consulting rm, Thompson & Horton, the following month to nd his replacement. At the time, ocials with the rm said there were about 70 superintendent

Cy-Fair AFT President Nikki Cowart summarized the responses in an Oct. 5 letter to the board: 85% did not want to see “signicant change in philosophy” from a new superintendent. 84% said the new superintendent should have worked in Texas public schools. 80% said the superintendent should engage with employees to understand their experiences. 80% said employee retention and salaries need to be addressed.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM