Leander ISD Takes Steps In Search For New Superintendent

LEANDER, TX -- School district officials have taken substantive steps to find their next superintendent of schools to replace Bret Champion, who is pursuing another position in the Houston area.

At their meeting last week, members of the Leander ISD Board of Trustees whittled the list of professional search firms to find a new schools chief to two. Trustees also said the interim superintendent would not be considered for the post, a step taken to ensure an open process.

In the coming days, trustees will decide between two firms to undergo the search. The choices are Thompson & Horton or Hazard, Young Attea & Associates. Trustees said they would interview representatives of both firms at a future date not yet determined.

The board also moved that the superintendent selection won't allow for the LiSD interim superintendent to be considered as a candidate for the superintendent of schools position.

"This clarification is designed to make it clear that it is an open process for any candidate inside or outside the district who is not serving as the LISD interim superintendent," district officials explained on the district website.

“As we move forward in our search for a new superintendent, I am confident that our teachers, principals, district administration and Board of Trustees will continue to drive our district forward,” Board President Will Streit said in a prepared statement. “We are in the first phase of our search and we are committed to ensuring transparency. We welcome feedback every step of the way.”

The Board is expected to meet again in the following weeks to interview and select a search firm, district officials said. To ensure transparency in the process, timelines and progress reports will be provided on the LISD Superintendent Search webpage.

In late April, Champion disclosed he had accepted a job as superintendent of the school district in Klein, a community in northwest Harris County with 50,000 students. He was the lone finalist for the job that he'll start in July.

>>> Photo of Bret Champion via LiSD website