The LHISD board of trustees unanimously voted to name Motal as the superintendent lone finalist at a Dec. 17 special meeting. The decision comes eight months after former Superintendent Steven Snell resigned to become the next Williamson County judge.
“I’m very excited,” Motal told Community Impact. “I am thankful for the opportunity. Since serving as interim [superintendent] in April to now, I've gotten a great opportunity to lead the district in that role, so to me this is the next natural step to continue moving the district forward, working with all of the parents, students, community, board and staff.”
What’s happening
Motal became the interim superintendent of LHISD in April. Over the last six years, he has served as the district’s chief of schools, director of secondary education and principal of Liberty Hill Junior High.
The board selected Motal as the lone finalist after conducting a statewide superintendent search process and receiving feedback from staff and community members, according to LHISD information.
“Thank you very much for the confidence y’all have had in me over the last seven months,” Motal told the board and district staff at the Dec. 17 meeting. “We got a lot of great things ahead of us, and it's going to take all of us together to be able to do that.”
Following the board’s vote, Motal will be required to wait 21 days from Dec. 18 before signing his official superintendent contract under state law, said Rachel Acosta, LHISD director of communications and community engagement. The board is expected to vote on the final approval of Motal’s appointment as superintendent at its Jan. 20 meeting, Acosta said.
Career history
Motal has over 23 years of experience in education, spanning roles from classroom teacher to district leadership. He earned a Master of Education in Education Administration from Texas State University and has certifications as a superintendent, principal and teacher in Texas, according to LHISD information.
During his tenure in LHISD, Motal has helped the district navigate challenges related to its budget and fast enrollment growth.
In November, voters approved a voter-approval tax rate election to raise the district’s tax rate by $0.07 per $100 valuation. The district is planning to use the $10.7 million in additional funding to reinvest in teacher raises, student programs and safety and security initiatives following two years of budget cuts.
“The last eight months have been very tough for all of us,” trustee Brandon Canady said at the Dec. 17 meeting. “It has really been very rewarding to watch this man grow into the role he's grown into. You have leaned into a storm over the last eight months. He's been hit with more things than most superintendents see in the lifetime of their career, so job well done, Mr. Motal.”
Motal has helped the district build new facilities and expand three elementary schools from a capacity of 800 to 1,000 students. He organized the district’s first attendance boundary committee and reengaged LHISD’s Long Range Planning Committee.
In his personal life, Motal and his wife, Anjie Motal, enjoy spending time with their 17-year-old daughter, Emma, and 11-year-old son, Ben.
In their own words
Moving into 2026, Motal told Community Impact he wants to help LHISD finish rezoning campuses, adopt a new academic calendar, and implement initiatives funded by the district’s tax-rate election.
Motal said he would like to host more community meetings to hear from LHISD parents, businesses and staff about their needs.
“I want [parents and community members] to know we all want the same thing— a great school district for all of our kids,” Motal said in an interview with Community Impact. “Sometimes we are in perfect alignment, and we can make that happen together. Sometimes maybe we're on different pages, and my job is to be able to listen and work together, so that we can try to meet that goal in the middle.”
