The Boerne Independent School District board of trustees selected Kristin Craft, the associate superintendent at Spring Branch ISD, as its lone finalist for superintendent at a special meeting Wednesday.
The move is the latest in a trend of districts selecting new leaders amid a tumultuous period in public education.
State law requires a 21-day waiting period before a lone finalist may be hired as superintendent. The district declined to allow interviews with Craft, who would be the district’s first female leader, during the interim period.
“Thank you to this amazing school board for this opportunity to lead,” Craft said at the meeting. “To me, leadership is service, and I come to Boerne with a heart to serve and a heart to get to know this great community and all of our students and teachers.”
Board President Carlin Friar said the district interviewed its top three finalists along with their families last week before selecting the finalist.
Board members shared excitement about the selection of the new leader, who comes from a school district northwest of Houston.
“As the board we have one employee, and that’s the superintendent,” Trustee Rich Sena said. “And it’s essential that we get that right and we feel confident.”
The district of about 10,300 students northwest of San Antonio has been in the process of selecting a new leader since Superintendent Thomas Price announced in June that he would be retiring. In a statement at the time, Price said the position was the “highest honor of [his] career,” adding that he is now looking forward to spending more time with his family.
“I enjoy supporting our BISD families, but many times I have missed milestones in my own family,” he said. “Now, I want to be able to enjoy spending time with my wife, Donna, my children and future grandchildren.”
Northside, Judson, Southwest and Somerset ISDs have all selected new leaders within the last year as districts face turnover of both teachers, administrators and leaders.
At his final board meeting Tuesday, Price was presented a plaque by Board President Carlin Friar in honor of his seven years as superintendent. The district leader made $238,048.97, according to a copy of his contract.
The board initially reviewed 31 applicants, before narrowing them down to six semi-finalists and three finalists.
Friar said the selection process was guided by the results of an online community survey and input from in-person meetings.
Craft is set to take the role in 2024, with Price transitioning to “Superintendent Emeritus,” a role in which he will serve as an advisor until his retirement in June 2024.
