North - Northwest Austin Edition | August 2023

EDUCATION

2023 EDUCATION EDITION

Interim superintendent working to refocus AISD for 202324 year

BY AMANDA CUTSHALL

much-needed support for teachers and sta is by listening to needs, as well as being visible and accessible. “Having educators in class that feel supported is critical; we have to be direct about it—for educators, librarians, etc.—we are putting forth an eort to let people know we value them and that we understand there have been challenges. We want to empower them,” Segura said. The results: A compensation package passed May 18 that increases salaries across the board is part of the solution to a lack of support for teachers, Segura said. As of June, there were fewer than 70 available positions in the district compared to June 2022 when there were nearly 1,000 vacancies, accord- ing to data compiled by AISD ocials. How we got here : The search process for a permanent superintendent began in May 2022 after former Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde

Following his Dec. 15, 2022, appointment as Austin ISD’s interim superintendent, Matias Segura said he strives to bring a supportive and stable environment to everyone in the district amid budget challenges and concerns about the district’s future from some community members. The search for a full-time replacement is paused. Current situation: Ocials origi- nally intended for Segura to serve as interim superintendent through June 2023; however, on March 30, trustees extended his contract an additional year. AISD board Presi- dent Arati Singh said there is not a denite timeline for when trustees will resume the hiring process for a superintendent. The interim search rm contract with GR Recruiting will remain intact.

Interim Superintendent Matias Segura greeted students on Aug. 14, the rst day of school for the 202324 year. (Nell Carroll/Community Impact)

benet from uninterrupted leadership for the time being. Looking ahead: Segura said he has felt condent with his abilities to reset and refocus the district since the beginning of his tenure because his background has always been in moving dicult work forward. “The system is responding favorably to what’s changed so far,” Segura said.

was named the lone nalist for superintendent of Dallas ISD and accepted the job. In June 2022, Anthony Mays was named interim superintendent, but accepted a job as superintendent at a Houston-area district in November 2022. Following his departure, Segura was appointed interim superintendent. Singh said shifting focus to address- ing students’ immediate needs was rst priority, and the district would

The plan: Segura said one way he plans to continue to provide the

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NORTH NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • AUGUST 2023