Cy-Fair ISD officials announced today Karen Smith will be promoted to serve as the district’s chief financial officer this summer. Smith, who has served as assistant superintendent of business and financial services since January 2009, will take Stuart Snow’s place after he retires from a 29-year career in public education effective June 30.

In her current position, Smith helps coordinate and monitor an annual budget of more than $1 billion, according to a district press release.

Smith's past experience also includes 15 years working at Klein ISD as director of internal audit and control and a decade of experience in the private sector.

Smith has also served in various positions on the Texas Association of School Business Officials board of directors, including as director, officer and president.

“I am extremely honored to be selected as the new chief financial officer of CFISD,” Smith said in the release. “I am proud to support a district that continues to be recognized for its excellent financial practices.”

Snow served as the chief financial officer of CFISD for more than 10 years, a role that includes budgeting, financial accounting and reporting, bond sales, payroll and employee benefits, property insurance, risk management, cash management and working with a legislative delegation regarding school finance issues.

He also oversees districtwide technology—including network infrastructure, the email system, the telephone system and wireless connectivity—to more than 100 district facilities.

In a fall 2018 interview with Community Impact Newspaper, Snow explained some of the best practices the district has implemented when it comes to managing revenue. Snow has also advocated for school finance reform at the state level, including for increasing state funding for public schools to lessen the burden on local taxpayers.