Consultants hired to help Laredo Independent School District find its next superintendent heard parents say the district needs a leader who is visible in schools, bilingual, experienced in securing resources and responsive to families.

The consultants, identified at the meeting as representatives of a Texas school-board association, told attendees that they will compile input from the meetings and an online survey and produce a report around Dec. 9. The application period for superintendent candidates is open through Feb. 23; interviews are scheduled for March, and the consultants expect to present a finalist by April 1, after which the board will begin negotiations.

Why it matters: The community’s feedback will feed the profile used to screen and rank applicants for the district that serves Laredo. Parents said their priorities should shape hiring because the superintendent sets districtwide priorities for instruction, safety and family engagement.

Parents at the meeting prioritized three broad areas. First, communication and accessibility: speakers said they want a superintendent who will engage in person with parents and staff in both Spanish and English and respond when problems are raised. One parent urged continued responsiveness, saying, “Que nos gusta es que recibamos el apoyo de el superintendente … lo que nos gusta es que nos han podido responder a nuestras peticiones,” describing past instances when the administration answered parent requests.

Second, program continuity and career pathways: parents praised programs that guide students toward postsecondary options. One parent described the GEEP UP program and a new criminology-style elective led by a teacher identified in the meeting as Mr. Castro, saying the coursework showed students “other horizons” and that the class had excited students who want to pursue law-enforcement and legal careers.

Third, community relationships and resource management: parents told consultants they expect the superintendent to convene local institutions, coordinate calendars across colleges and districts where possible, and have the political skills to pursue state and federal funding. “This position is political,” a parent said, noting the need for someone who can work with the governor’s office and legislators to secure materials and competitive teacher pay.

Consultants encouraged continued participation: they said all remarks and survey responses would be compiled for the report and compared with applicant qualifications. The consultants explained that community input will be one component of the screening process and that the board will consider the compiled feedback alongside candidate credentials.

Board President Juan Ramírez closed the meeting by thanking attendees and urging parents and community members to keep submitting feedback and completing the survey, arguing public participation is central to choosing the district’s next leader.

Provenance: topicintro: verbatim remarks introducing the consultants and the survey (transcript block starting 00:07:12). topfinish: timeline and deadlines for applications and interviews (transcript block starting 00:55:09).