DSISD Board meets on new superintendent search

The Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees will meet on Friday Aug. 2, at 4:15 p.m., in the Board Room at the DSISD Administration Building, 510 W. Mercer St., to select an outside firm to conduct a search for a new district superintendent.

On July 25^th, DSISD made the surprise announcement that DSISD Superintendent Dr. Bruce Gearing would be leaving his position, in August, to become the new superintendent at Leander ISD.

In its initial press release on Dr. Gearing’s departure, the district praised his accomplishment while at the helm, and DSISD Board President Carrie Fontana Kroll thanked him for his service. “We thank Dr. Gearing for his many years of service to our district and wish him nothing but the best and much success in this new role,” Kroll said.

Kroll then pivoted to the search for his replacement. “Our district will continue to thrive during this transition thanks to the phenomenal staff we have in place and the support of our parents and the broader community. DSISD is a respected and innovative district with amazing potential. I have no doubt that we will be able to attract and identify a truly outstanding leader who is highly qualified to lead DSISD into the future,” Kroll said.

In a follow up press release on Wednesday, July 31, at 5:07 pm., DSISD outlined its process in a search for a new superintendent.

 “The Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees is beginning the process of searching for the next superintendent of Dripping Springs ISD following Dr. Gearing’s announcement last week that he will be leaving the district for Leander ISD.  The Board met in a full-day session on July 30 to, among other things, interview two third-party superintendent search firms – the Texas Association of School Boards Executive Search Services and EdSAS (Education Solutions and Services). Trustees will meet on Friday, August 2, at 4:15 p.m. in the Board Room at the DSISD Administration Building to select one of these firms to conduct the search on behalf of the district. 

“A general timeline for the hiring process is being developed. Included in the timeline is the identification of an interim superintendent to serve until a permanent superintendent is selected. The search firm chosen during the August 2 meeting also will assist the board with identifying an interim superintendent. Tentative dates for the Board to interview interim candidates are August 15 (11:00 a.m.) or August 21 (6:00 p.m.); the date will be determined once the firm has been chosen. An interim superintendent selection will be made following interviews.

“In the coming weeks, the Board will explore the best available methods to gather community input regarding the qualities and characteristics that the district should seek in the next superintendent.”

For the Friday Aug. 2^nd, 4:15 p.m. meeting, there are two action items listed, with no closed sessions listed, indicating the meeting is public.