WISD board hires Walsh Gallegos and Dr. Anne Dixon to conduct superintendent search

The Waxahachie Independent School District Board of Trustees voted to retain the law firm Walsh Gallegos and consultant Dr. Anne Dixon to conduct the district—hief executive search, trustees decided in open session Tuesday.

Trustees approved a motion to proceed with the search process as described by Dr. Dixon, who summarized the firm's search and vetting approach: Walsh Gallegos will post the vacancy and collect applications in a secure portal, Dr. Dixon will interview every candidate and perform extensive background contacts beyond listed references, and the board will receive all applications and community survey feedback prior to initial candidate screening.

Why it matters: The search process determines finalist identification and the timeline for negotiation and hiring. Dr. Dixon said the firm will produce a broad community survey disaggregated by employee, parent and taxpayer groups; the board will receive those results before reviewing applications.

What the board approved: A motion directing staff to complete necessary paperwork and authorize Walsh Gallegos and Dr. Anne Dixon to conduct the superintendent search. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

Vote: The board recorded the motion as carrying 7-0.

Details offered by Dr. Dixon included her description of "extreme vetting" (calling former employers, neighboring districts and non-listed contacts) and the firm's practice of presenting all applications to the board rather than filtering to a short list. She explained the board could name one or more finalists and that Texas dministrative process requires a waiting period (commonly cited as 21 days) before a final hire upon naming a finalist and negotiating terms.

Trustees asked for questions after the presentation; none were recorded prior to the motion.