The Hutto ISD Board of Trustees has named Celina Estrada Thomas the lone finalist for the district’s superintendent position. Trustees voted unanimously Sept. 29 to name Estrada Thomas superintendent. Thomas has been serving as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction with Fredericksburg ISD since 2015. During her tenure, Fredericksburg ISD increased student achievement as evidenced by the improvement on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, increases in CTE course completion rates and improvements on college readiness indicators. Estrada Thomas has consistently increased state assessment scores for all student populations on all campuses. She is most proud of leading a district-wide committee that was responsible for introducing the first dual language program to Fredericksburg ISD. The state requires a 21-day waiting period after which trustees are expected to offer Estrada Thomas a contract for employment. “I am honored and thrilled beyond measure of the opportunity to lead the Hutto Independent School District and proud of joining the Hippo Nation. My husband and I look forward to embracing the entire Hutto community and making it home,” said Estrada Thomas in a statement. Estrada Thomas previously served as the Director of Human Resources of Bastrop ISD. Her professional experience includes campus administration roles in Bastrop ISD, Austin ISD, Round Rock ISD and Brownsville ISD as well as teaching experience at the elementary and high school level. Board President Connie Gooding said the district quickly narrowed the field of candidates to six potential superintendents. “Dr. Estrada Thomas rose to the top of the candidate pool due to the depth of her experience and knowledge with curriculum and instruction and her deep belief that every student deserves an education that is geared specifically to them and their needs,” Gooding said. The board spent nearly six hours interviewing candidates on Saturday, Sept. 23. Gooding added, “On behalf of the HISD Board of Trustees, I want to say that we applaud all of the candidates who were interested in our district. They gave us much to think about as well as much to take pride in. We recognize that this is a major decision, and we placed great significance on a choice that would continue taking us from where we are to where we want to be.” The position came open when the former superintendent, Dr. Doug Killian, submitted his resignation after accepting the superintendent position with Pflugerville ISD.