Willis ISD expects to have new superintendent by summer 2024, officials say

Willis ISD officials are set to interview candidates in March with the hopes of hiring a new superintendent this summer. 

Former Superintendent Tim Harkrider announced his resignation in June, after an 11-year tenure with the district. The news came after College Station ISD named Harkrider as its new superintendent.

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Willis ISD trustees met in November and agreed to pay $20,000 to Thompson & Horton to lead the search for a new superintendent.

Building a timeline for hiring a new superintendent

David Thompson, attorney for the firm, and former Texas Education Commissioner Mike Moses met with trustees during a special meeting to establish a timeline for the search. 

“We always say the timeline is a tool, but it’s not a master,” Thompson said during the special meeting on Nov. 30. “The ultimate goal is to put y’all in a position to make a great selection.” 

During the meeting, trustees discussed getting public input from parents and staff during January, with hopes of setting an application deadline in February.

After 30 days of reviewing applications, officials would begin the process of interviewing six candidates chosen by the firm, according to a release by the district. 

There will be two rounds of interviews, where the lone finalist will have a 21-day, state-required, waiting period before being formally hired, the release states. 

A preliminary timeline was set during the special meeting and may be modified in accordance to the board’s wishes, according to the district’s website. 

Tentatively, the new superintendent is expected to start by June 3, the district’s website states. 

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The district has started advertising for the position and is expected to mail letters and contact potential candidates for the position on Dec. 11.

The district will then hear from focus groups, consisting of parents, teachers, students, and other community leaders on their thoughts about potential candidates on Jan. 10.

The application deadline to apply for the position is on Feb. 16. Interviews between candidates will take place March 4-19.

The lone finalist is expected to be chosen on April 1, with the expectation of starting in June. 

Former superintendent acts in leadership role

In July, the district appointed Sara Goolsby, the district’s assistant superintendent of innovation, teaching and learning, to serve as the acting superintendent until an interim was chosen.

Shortly after, former Willis ISD superintendent Tom Crowe was named to serve as the interim role during a special board meeting July 18. 

“It’s kind of full circle,” Crowe said previously. “(I) just felt like maybe I can contribute something to the community while they’re searching for a permanent superintendent.”