El Paso, TX (KFOX14/CBS4) — The El Paso Independent School District (EPISD) board is set to meet Monday to potentially name a finalist for the superintendent position, a role left vacant for over four months since Diana Sayavedra’s departure.
The board’s agenda includes the item “Consider and Take Possible Action to Name Finalist for the Superintendent Position,” indicating a decision could be imminent.
Sayavedra’s exit followed the election of new board members and a new board president, Leah Hanany, who had disagreements with Sayavedra over issues such as school closures. In preparation for selecting a new superintendent, the district held community meetings to gather input, though attendance was low.
EPISD has outlined the qualities it seeks in a candidate, emphasizing “visionary leadership,” “expertise and commitment to academic excellence,” and a “deep understanding of and commitment to act in the best interest of the community.” Board President Leah Hanany highlighted the importance of focusing on academic outcomes, noting, “We currently have two schools that have been failing schools for three years straight.”
In a Facebook post dated Nov. 14, Hanany stated that the board will interview five candidates tomorrow, starting at 7:30 a.m. and continuing after 5 p.m. The board may decide whether to conduct a second round of interviews based on these discussions.
Hanany previously expressed her priorities for the search, saying, “It is a liability. It is a vulnerability for the school district. So I think it is incumbent on us to make sure that we’re centering academics in the process.”
RELATED: El Paso ISD community outlines desired traits for new superintendent
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