TASB outlines superintendent search timeline; trustees debate public finalist meetings

The Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) resumed the Socorro ISD superintendent search process at the May 19 workshop and presented a draft timeline that would allow a new superintendent to begin transition before the start of the 2025‑26 school year.

George Kazanis, Division Director of Executive Search Services for TASB, and Ruben Cervantes, TASB field representative, reviewed the consultant’s role and described steps that remain: re‑open the application, review applicant materials, hold a first round of timed interviews (recommended 90 minutes per candidate), select a subset for follow‑up interviews and name a lone finalist. Kazanis explained Texas law requires a 21‑day waiting period after naming a lone finalist before the board may take a final employment vote.

TASB suggested an application deadline in early June (to be confirmed) and proposed initial interviews in mid‑ to late‑June, with a July board vote timeline that would allow the superintendent to begin transition in late July. TASB recommended two interview rounds and encouraged trustees to review candidate materials via the secure application portal.

The board discussed whether to allow community events with finalists. Several trustees said public finalist meetings can promote transparency and let staff and community meet candidates; others warned that naming finalists publicly can reduce the candidate pool because many qualified applicants are current employees who risk their jobs and reputations if their candidacy becomes public. Trustees asked TASB to ask candidates whether they would be willing to participate in public finalist events; TASB agreed to add that question to the candidate materials.

TASB noted the district previously paused the search while the board focused on community listening and workshop planning; the search is now active and will be coordinated with the June priority‑setting timeline.