Austin interim school superintendent named finalist for top job in south Houston district

Austin school district interim Superintendent Anthony Mays has been named the sole finalist for the top administrative job at a south Houston school district.

The Alief school district, which has about 47,000 students north of Sugar Land, made the announcement Wednesday night on social media.

"Alief ISD's Board of Trustees has selected Austin ISD Interim Superintendent Dr. Anthony Mays as the lone finalist to serve as the next superintendent of the District," the district posted on Twitter.

Mays has been interim superintendent of Austin schools since this summer, when former Superintendent Stephanie S. Elizalde left in June to lead the Dallas district.

In a letter sent to parents about his departure, Mays called his work with the Austin district "an honor and privilege."

"The chance to lead a district while putting down roots for a long-term partnership was something our family could not pass up," Mays said in the letter.

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Finding a superintendent to lead the Austin district is one of the most pressing tasks facing the district's new school board after Tuesday's election. Many trustees had said they would consider Mays to fill the position.

The Austin district has had three people in the top administrative spot in less than three years.

Elizalde, who was previously a top administrator at the Dallas district, served as superintendent from August 2020 to June 2022. She replaced Paul Cruz, who had been superintendent since 2015.

Mays plans to stay in Austin through the end of the semester, a district spokeswoman said.

The new board members will decide who should replace Mays as interim superintendent when they're sworn into their positions in December, according to the district.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin superintendent Anthony Mays finalist for Houston district job