“I am grateful to the Eanes ISD Board of Trustees for its trust in me, and to our community of outstanding students, staff and families who are so invested in the success of our schools,” Arnett said in a press release from the district. “I am humbled and honored to represent and support you in this role. I also want to thank Dr. Leonard, my long-time colleague and mentor, for his leadership over the past eight years and the example he has set for so many.”
Arnett has served as the deputy superintendent of EISD since 2016 and has overseen operations of the District Leadership Team and Envision Eanes advisory committee, both of which are aimed at exploring how the district can improve. He has several years of experience in public education and holds a doctorate in educational leadership along with master's degrees in education and corporate communications, according to a press release from the District.
“We are grateful for our unique position,” board president John Havenstrite said. "We have someone who knows our students, our staff, our parents and our community. We have someone whose leadership characteristics align with the wants and needs of our community. Our future could not be more bright.”
The board interviewed Arnett on Jan. 14 and 18 prior to naming him as a finalist at the Jan. 25 board meeting. State law requires 21 days to pass after the announcement of a finalist before the board can enter a contract with the candidate, according to a press release from the district.
Arnett began his career in public education in Missouri for various school districts as a director of communications, director of school and community relations and as a classroom teacher, according to a press release from EISD. He then served as the director of communications, education and public programs for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y. Prior to joining EISD, he spent eight years in a suburban school district outside of Chicago as assistant superintendent of operations and outreach, as well as chief communications officer.
The search for a new superintendent began in October 2021, following an announcement from Superintendent Tom Leonard that he planned to retire by the time his contract expires in 2023. The search firm Thompson & Horton LLP was hired in October to oversee the search and gathered feedback from community-wide surveys and focus groups throughout December to determine what qualities were desired in the new superintendent. Leonard will assist in the transition process as Arnett steps into his new role, according to the district.
“I couldn’t be happier for Jeff, his family and the Eanes community," Leonard said. "This is an incredible team of professionals who I know will continue to lead our District to even greater success.”
