Washington Elementary School District names Lupita Hightower interim superintendent, effective July 1

The Washington Elementary School District Governing Board voted to approve an employment contract and independent contractor agreement appointing Dr. Lupita Hightower as interim superintendent, with the board amending the contract to make the appointment effective July 1, 2025.

The action occurred after the board reconvened from executive session. A board member moved to approve the contract and independent contractor agreement; an amendment to set the effective date to July 1, 2025, was offered and seconded. The board then voted and the motion passed. The board president welcomed Hightower following the vote and presented a certificate.

Dr. Lupita Hightower said she was “honored and humbled to be serving as your interim superintendent,” and described her 28 years in education and 14 years as school superintendent for Tolleson Elementary School District. She said she intended to “listen, to learn, to assess” and to lead with “compassion, transparency, and a deep sense of responsibility.”

The appointment follows the board’s earlier recognition of outgoing Superintendent Paul Stanton and several routine approvals that closed the evening’s business. The interim contract was described on the record as both an employment contract and an independent contractor agreement; the board approved an amendment specifying the July 1 effective date before the final vote.

No roll-call vote tally with named board members was recorded in the transcript for the final motion; the meeting record shows the motion passed following the vote call.

Board members and district staff said they expect the interim term to cover the leadership transition into the next school year, and board members publicly welcomed Hightower to the role.