Several school districts that had vacancies at the top are now entering 2024 knowing who their next leaders will be after a spate of holiday season hiring. Also good news is that the new superintendents, some of whom will serve in the role for the first time, comprise a diverse bunch.
Most recently, and two days after Christmas, Elkhart Community Schools in Indiana chose Larry Huff to succeed Superintendent Mark Mow. Huff, who will become Elkhart’s new leader in July, is currently the Metropolitan School District of Pike Township’s chief academic officer.
Among the largest districts to make a year-end appointment was Austin ISD in Texas, which unanimously picked interim superintendent Matias Segura to keep the top spot full-time. Segura, who joined Austin ISD in 2017, has been the interim superintendent since Jan. 3, 2023. A graduate of Austin ISD and the son of a teacher in the district, Segura had previously served as chief of operations.
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Several other Texas districts also secured new leaders heading into 2024, including two that hired their first-ever female superintendents. Kristin Craft became superintendent of Boerne ISD on Jan. 2 after having served as Spring Branch ISD’s associate superintendent of academics and chief academic officer since 2018. Keller ISD has promoted Tracy Johnson to superintendent from her previous role as the district’s chief human resources officer.
Fort Bend ISD near Houston named as its next leader Duncanville ISD Superintendent Marc Smith, who is set to sign his new contract next week. Smith, a 30-year educator, also served as the superintendent of Marshall ISD and was previously a principal and assistant superintendent in Fort Bend. Arlington ISD near Dallas has appointed Matt Smith, who is currently the superintendent of Belton ISD and has been a K12 administrator for more than 20 years.
More new leaders
In Wisconsin, Superintendent Monica Kelsey-Brown is moving to the Waunakee Community School District from the Brown Deer School District, which she has led since the 2020-2021 school year. She has also served as a student achievement supervisor with Milwaukee Public Schools.
Another superintendent changing places is Russell Dyer, who was unanimously voted in as the new director of Collierville Schools in Tennessee after having led Cleveland City Schools in the same state for eight years. He also served as Collierville’s chief of staff from 2014-16.
In another hire from within, interim superintendent Lori Wilson was the unanimous choice to become the next leader of the Ozark School District in Missouri. She had been Ozark’s assistant superintendent of business and chief financial officer since 2022, previously serving as superintendent of the West Plains School District, also in Missouri.
And in Mississippi, Ted Poore was selected to become the superintendent of Madison County Schools after having served the district for 26 years. Poore, who will take over for retiring Superintendent Charlotte Seals in July, will immediately become Madison County’s deputy superintendent. He was previously a teacher, coach, counselor and school-level administrator in the district.
These new leaders were also chosen in the following districts:
- Jim DuBois, Goshen Community Schools (Indiana)
- Scott Faul, Minot Public Schools (North Dakota)
- Cleo Perry, St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools (Louisiana)
- Casey Wright, Nordonia Hills City School District (Ohio)
