Washburn hired as Dripping Springs ISD Superintendent

The Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to approve the hire of Todd Washburn as the new DSISD Superintendent at a special meeting on Nov. 21. 

Washburn was named sole finalist for the position on Oct. 30. In a press release, DSISD said “he will begin his new role leading DSISD’s seven campuses immediately.”

“I am honored and humbled to be selected to serve as the next superintendent of Dripping Springs ISD,” Washburn said. “I look forward to building relationships with students, staff, parents and community members as we continue to provide a personal and exceptional education for every learner."  

DSISD School Board President Carrie Kroll said, “Todd has visible love for public education and a heart for students. I think our community will find his excitement for learning refreshing and his passion invigorating. We look forward to welcoming him into the Tiger family."

In August, former DSISD Superintendent Dr. Bruce Gearing left the district to become superintendent of Leander ISD. During the school board’s search for a new superintendent, former Eanes ISD Superintendent Dr. Nola Wellman served as interim superintendent.

Washburn, a resident of Dripping Springs, has served in public education 29 years as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, executive director of secondary curriculum, assistant superintendent, and associate superintendent.

Washburn most recently served as the Associate Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment in Eanes ISD since 2016, after one year as Assistant Superintendent. In EISD, Washburn has led district initiatives such as implementing a District of Innovation plan, a district-level teacher appraisal system, and facilitating a district inclusive culture committee. He assisted in the launch of innovative programs such as the Westlake High School Business Incubator and the WHS culinary program, the Epicure Academy. Washburn’s guidance was critical in the passing of Eanes ISD’s tax ratification election in 2017 and an $80 million bond in 2019.

 From 1995-2015, Washburn was at Leander ISD, moving up the ranks to the position of Executive Director of Secondary Education. During his leadership in Leander ISD, the district opened multiple new schools and navigated the district through a population growth from 10,000 to 36,000 students. After joining the district as a middle school teacher and coach, Washburn became an assistant principal, then opened Running Brushy Middle School as the school’s first principal in 2000. He moved into the principal position at Leander High School in 2003 and led that campus for four years before assuming duties at the district level in 2007. 

 Washburn, who started his career as a teacher and coach in Fabens ISD, received a Bachelor of Science degree from Kent State University. He went on to earn his master’s degree in educational administration and his superintendent’s certification from Southwest Texas State University. Washburn grew up in northeast Ohio and graduated from Rootstown High School. He and his wife, Beth – also an educator – moved to El Paso, Texas, in 1990 and then to Leander in 1995. In June 2016, they relocated to the Dripping Springs community. They have two sons: TJ, who attends Texas A&M University, and Zachary, who attends Texas State University. 

DSISD has scheduled two “Meet & Greets,” with new Superintendent Todd Washburn on Tuesday Dec. 3 in the DSISD Central Office Board Room, 501 W. Mercer Street. The first will be from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m., the second will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The press release said “this is a come-and-go format.” Visitors may park in the front lot or along the side of DSISD Administration, or in the Walnut Springs Elementary adjacent lot.  

Twitter: @John_E_Pacheco