Willis ISD named Sara Goolsby as acting superintendent July 6 after former Superintendent Tim Harkrider resigned from the district in June.

What’s happening

According to the district website, the acting superintendent role is slated to remain until an interim superintendent is selected. Director of Communications Jamie Falls said the position of interim superintendent was offered to Goolsby, who declined the position. Goolsby joined Willis ISD as the Willis High School dean of curriculum in 2016 according to the district website. Goolsby is currently the assistant superintendent of innovation, teaching and learning.

Falls said Goolsby will be in the position of acting superintendent for less than 30 days.

How we got here


Harkrider announced his departure from the district after 11 years June 12. According to previous reporting, he has moved on to be the superintendent of College Station ISD. At the same time, The Woodland Hills named its newest park after Harkrider in a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 6, according to previous reporting.

What’s next

Falls said over the course of the next 30 days the board will meet with a lawyer to research and discuss potential candidates for the interim superintendent position. Falls said it is likely they will hire outside the district, and the whole process will take an estimated four to six months.