AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Independent School District's (AISD) interim superintendent has been named the lone finalist for a school district near Houston, according to a press release.
Dr. Anthony Mays was named the AISD interim superintendent in June after former AISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde was named the lone finalist for Dallas ISD. Now, almost four months later, Mays has been named the lone finalist for Alief ISD.
Alief ISD is in southwest Houston and mainly serves residents within Harris County. The Alief ISD Board of Trustees named Mays as the lone finalist to serve as the district superintendent in a special meeting on Nov. 9.
“The Board is incredibly excited to name Dr. Anthony Mays as lone finalist for superintendent of Alief ISD,” Alief ISD Board President Ann Williams said. “We are confident that he is the perfect candidate to serve as the district’s next leader. He is a proven leader and advocate for public education. We look forward to this new chapter and collaboration in creating not only a stronger Alief ISD, but a stronger Alief community as well.”
According to the release, state law requires a 21-day waiting period after a school board names a lone finalist before the board may hire the finalist as the superintendent.
Mays made history within AISD by being the first Black man to serve as the interim superintendent. Before his interim position, Mays was AISD's chief of schools for almost two years.
AISD stated that Mays will hold the interim position until July 1, 2023, when the district plans to have selected a new superintendent. The AISD board met on Nov. 15 to discuss the process of choosing a new interim superintendent.
In a Nov. 16 update, AISD leaders said they aim to name a new interim superintendent by Dec. 15. The school board will create and share the process for recruiting, selecting and hiring a permanent superintendent after new board members are seated on Dec. 1.
Leaders said they would also hold listening sessions before an interim replacement is hired.
"We are committed to robust and inclusive community engagement as part of the process of hiring a permanent superintendent," a release from the district said.
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