Austin ISD superintendent could leave district for Atlanta Public Schools

Timeline

Because the Atlanta district's process involves a waiting period, its board cannot vote to hire Carstarphen before April 14, Torres said.

"There is a possibility between now and then that she may not actually be approved by the board," Torres said.

The AISD board will meet March 31 to discuss issues related to the potential change in executive session, Torres said. On April 7, the board will likely hold a discussion in open session, he said.

"Not until we know for certain that the superintendent has been selected as the superintendent for Atlanta Public Schools—and that would be after the 14th—will we then move to take action to have an interim superintendent approved by the board," Torres said.

The board could hold a meeting to decide on an interim superintendent on April 21 or 28, Torres said.

Transition

Torres said he had informed the board that as Carstarphen drew nearer to the end of her contract, other districts might express interest in hiring her for open positions.

"Sure enough, as early as last fall I had started getting calls from those headhunters who basically represent districts to the folks that are decision-makers in other districts indicating that ... 'Hey, we're interested in your superintendent,'" he said.

Torres pointed out that AISD has made significant progress during the past five years under Carstarphen's leadership, including achieving an all-time high graduation rate and shifting the district's focus from testing to the "whole child, every child" and social and emotional learning.

Austin has become a stronger community as a result of Carstarphen's leadership, said Drew Scheberle, the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce's senior vice president of education and talent development.

"Next week we'll be [revealing] our Community Education Progress Reports for the ninth year, and it's given me cause to sit down and look at the improvement that we've seen. There are 1,000 more students who are graduating college-ready here than [there were] when she got here, which is huge," he said. "Our graduation rates are at a historic high. Despite having to administer the first per-pupil funding cuts in memory, we've maintained our strong bond rating and passed a half-a-million-dollar bond package."

Scheberle said he will be interested to see how the November elections tie in with the potential search for a new superintendent.

"I would be shocked if the board decided to go for an external candidate before the November elections," he said, noting five of the nine AISD board members' terms are slated to end in November. "From an interim standpoint, they need a strong leader. This board has not been willing to make decisions or find consensus, so they need somebody who can lead who is strongly credible."

Ken Zarifis, president of local teachers union Education Austin, said he thinks the board needs to start thinking about the search for an interim or new superintendent now, including how it will seek public input.

He said he thinks a change of leadership could energize both the superintendent and the district as a whole.

"I think she'll work really well in Atlanta," he said, adding: "As far as the district goes, I think this is just a great opportunity. We've seen a lot of changes in five years. I think it's an opportunity for the city to find a new leader that can address the challenges that we have financially, but also we need to make sure that our campuses that are most challenged have opportunities to grow."

The district said it plans to provide the community with a "timely update" about next steps, including the process for a search for a new superintendent.

In an email message to district staff, Carstarphen wrote: "Although it will be difficult to consider leaving Austin, I know AISD would remain in the good hands and good care of our extraordinary educators, leaders and community—from our board of trustees and our front-line service providers to our civic leaders and families. ... I look forward to the opportunity to support the Atlanta community and rebuild the Atlanta Public Schools."