The Leander ISD board of trustees at its March 26 meeting selected Jon Bailon-Valdez as the new principal at Laura Bush Elementary School in Northwest Austin,

Currently the assistant principal at Westside Elementary School, Bailon-Valdez began his career as an elementary school teacher before serving as an assistant principal in Ysleta, Socorro and El Paso ISDs in the El Paso area.

"Jon is a passionate leader who has demonstrated an ability to build a campus that sets high expectations and promotes learning for students and staff," LISD Superintendent Bruce Gearing said. "His dedication to student growth and deep passion for parent partnerships will serve to enhance the culture of success at Bush Elementary.”

Bailon-Valdez received his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in education from the University of Texas at El Paso. He is currently pursing a doctorate at New Mexico State University.