Austin ISD Superintendent Stepping Down For UT-Austin Role

AUSTIN, TX — Austin ISD Superintendent Paul Cruz announced Wednesday evening he was stepping down to take a job with the University of Texas at Austin.

For six years, Cruz has headed the school district — overseeing more than 80,000 students and 12,000 employees — including the last tumultuous few months amid community debate over plans to close a dozen schools as enrollment figures drop.

In a note posted on the Austin ISD website and his Twitter page, Cruz made no mention of any such challenges as playing a role in his resignation. Instead, he focused on the district's key accomplishments under his helm, including a $1 billion bond package passed by voters for schools modernization and pay raises for teachers and staff members.

Cruz did not specify the nature of the position for which he was hired at UT-Austin. Whatever the role, it will be something of a homecoming as Cruz previously earned bachelor's degree in education and a doctorate degree in educational leadership from the university.

"I love Austin ISD!" he wrote. "Thank you for embracing my family, for educating my children, and for entrusting me with leading our strategic efforts. It has truly been an honor to serve as superintendent of Austin’s dynamic and high-performing school district."

The rest of his statement follows:

"Our board members work so hard for our students and families and I thank them for their dedication and commitment to our mission. I know the essential work will continue with their leadership. As I transition to my new role with UT, I will collaborate with our board to ensure the continuation of this important work and the fulfillment of our responsibilities.

"It has been an honor to have collaborated with such an amazing and dedicated team for whom I have the utmost respect. I am proud to recognize that together we worked to develop strong programming for our 81,000 students to ensure they are better prepared for college, career and life. We also recently worked to provide the largest pay increase in the history of our district to our teachers and staff. Our work on the implementation of the $1.05 billion bond to build modernized schools is ongoing. I can confidently say that, as a team, we have transformed the urban school experience – one cutting-edge initiative at a time.

"As a parent and a team member in Austin ISD, I have many fond memories of my experience during my 14 years of service. I will look back on the insightful conversations I’ve had with students as I visited our exceptional schools, and the shared accomplishments with all of you throughout the district and with current and former board members. I am humbled by the trust you have placed in me as superintendent and by the opportunity to serve our students, staff and families."

This is a developing story. Patch will update when more information is known.

The Austin ISD website lists some of district's major milestones with Cruz at the helm:

"Under Dr. Cruz’s leadership, the Austin ISD graduation rate is at an all-time high—outperforming the state and nation—with two-thirds of AISD graduates enrolling directly into college," the district entry reads. "AISD continues to meet all student performance standards set by the Texas Education Agency, and students are scoring above their peers throughout the state and the nation on ACT and SAT. AISD also has been named to the Advanced Placement Honor Roll."

Moreover, the website details how Cruz has worked on the development, implementation and expansion of various initiatives at AISD, including:

• Creative Learning Initiative.
• Dual-language programs.
• Early College High Schools.
• Family Resource Centers.
• Pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds.
• Social and Emotional Learning.
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
• Career Launch (Technology and Health Science).
• Montessori school.
• Breakfast in the Classroom.
• Facility Master Plan.

According to a district-provided bio, Cruz began his career in education in 1987 before working as a teacher, campus administrator, central office administrator and superintendent in Corpus Christi, San Antonio and South Texas. He also served as the deputy commissioner for dropout prevention at the Texas Education Agency. He currently serves as a board member for the Austin Area Research Organization, Austin Ed Fund and Austin Partners in Education.

"Having set a personal goal to earn a doctorate before he turned 30 years old, Dr. Cruz received his Ph.D. in educational leadership from the University of Texas at Austin at the age of 29," the site reads. "In his doctoral program, Dr. Cruz was a fellow in the Cooperative Superintendency Program, a top program in the nation, which is designed to prepare future urban school superintendents."

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from UT-Austin, with a specialization in English, and a Master of Science degree in educational administration from Corpus Christi State University. Dr. Cruz and his wife, Diana, have four children: Maricristina, Selly, Pablo and Manny.