On May 1, the Hays CISD board of trustees named Michael McKie the lone finalist for the superintendent position of the district. In Texas, being named the lone finalist in a superintendent search is tantamount to landing the job.

Board President Willie Tenorio said it became apparent early in the final round of interviews that McKie was the right candidate.

"We were clear on who we wanted, and we're very happy," Tenorio said. "He's a very well-qualified individual with a very well-rounded background."

McKie most recently served as the interim superintendent at Fort Bend ISD near Houston.

"I fully embrace the mission and beliefs of Hays CISD," Mckie said in a news release. "I truly believe that all children have the right to an enriched and nurturing learning environment filled with opportunities for growth and personal development. My family and I look forward to meeting new people, making new friends, serving the district and making the Hays CISD community our new home. I also look forward to developing personal and professional relationships with board members, teachers and staff. Working together, we will meet the needs of the students and community we serve."

The board's selection of McKie as the lone finalist comes almost six months after former Hays CISD Superintendent Jeremy Lyon announced he had been selected as the lone finalist for the same position in the Frisco ISD in November.

The search process included a public survey, public input meetings and two days of interviews via Skype. Tenorio called the response that the board received from the public surveys "phenomenal."

"Everyone is really enthusiastic about supporting the board and helping us decide what they wanted in a candidate, and I think they're going to see that we listened," Tenorio said.

According to the news release that accompanied the district's announcement, Fort Bend ISD is the seventh-largest school district in Texas. The district includes 70,000 students, 11 high schools, 14 middle schools, 45 elementary schools and four specialized schools.

Tenorio said the board's next step will be to formally offer a contract to McKie at its May 23 meeting.