Austin ISD trustees release statements after Dallas ISD names Stephanie Elizalde superintendent finalist

Dallas ISD trustees named Austin ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde as the sole finalist to replace DISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa at a closed meeting on May 18.

AISD Board President Geronimo Rodriguez released a statement on the district’s Twitter account yesterday, after the DISD news was announced.

“Thank you to Dr. Elizalde for her steadfast leadership through what has been an unprecedented and challenging two years,” Rodriguez wrote. “Her commitment to our AISD mission allowed our community to safely move through the pandemic and stay laser-focused on academic achievement.”

AISD trustees will meet soon to discuss a leadership transition plan, according to Rodriguez’s statement.

Elizalde became AISD’s superintendent in August 2020, after a nearly six-month search. Prior to coming to AISD, she had served as DISD's chief of school leadership since 2015.

Elizalde's contract with AISD was extended until August 2024 by a unanimous board vote last October.

Elizalde sent a letter to AISD staff addressing her departure on the morning of May 18, according to district representatives.

“It has been my honor to lead Austin ISD these past two years,” Elizalde wrote. “Dallas has always held a special place in my heart, and I am not making this decision lightly.”

This is a developing story and will be updated with new information as it becomes available.