Austin ISD trustees approved March 30 new permanent principal assignments at four South Austin elementary schools—Kiker, Baranoff, Cowan and Sunset Valley.

Kiker Elementary will be led by current Clayton Elementary School Assistant Principal Cory Matheny, who has held the position since 2016, according to a news release by the district. Matheny will succeed former Kiker Principal David Crissy, who will lead the new Southeast Elementary School for its inaugural 2020-21 school year.

At Baranoff, Cowan and Sunset Valley elementaries, current interim principals who have served in their roles since July 2019 were all given their respective positions permanently.

Beth Cantu will stay at Baranoff. She was the school’s assistant principal three years prior to that and has also served as a teacher for six years in the district.

At Cowan, Travis Brunner will become the full-time principal. He is a former O. Henry Middle School teacher and has been with the district for 12 years, according to the district.


Interim Marizza Marquez will be the principal at Sunset Valley. She previously worked as Webb Primary School’s program director and has been with the district since 2007, serving various administrative roles and as a bilingual teacher.