Chico ISD board approves interviewing six superintendent candidates, schedules April interviews

The Chico Independent School District Board voted Wednesday to interview six candidates for its superintendent vacancy and set interview dates for April 20–22, 2026. The motion to set the total number of candidates to be interviewed passed 5-0, with two trustees absent.

"I move that we approve Six (6) as the number of Superintendent Candidates to interview as presented," said Mr. Chris Laney, a board member who moved the motion. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Cassie Skinner and carried unanimously among members present. The board recorded Mr. Kyle Grimes, Mr. Chris Laney, Mr. Chance Earp, Mr. Ubaldo Garcia and Mrs. Cassie Skinner as voting yes; Mrs. Jada Ayala and Mr. Phillip Liebel were absent.

The board also approved a schedule for interviews. "I move that we begin interviews for superintendent on Monday, April 20, 2026, and will continue until Wednesday, April 22, 2026. I further we do two (2) interviews nightly, beginning at 6 pm with the second interview beginning at 7:30," Mr. Ubaldo Garcia, a board member, moved; Mr. Chance Earp seconded and the motion passed 5-0. The district has not specified locations or whether interviews will be open to the public beyond the district's standard meeting notices.

Board President Mr. Kyle Grimes called the special meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and led the invocation and the pledge of allegiance. The board recessed into a closed session at 6:01 p.m. and reconvened in open session at 7:04 p.m., after which the votes were recorded.

The actions set the next procedural steps for the superintendent search: the board will interview the approved slate of six candidates on the scheduled dates and will determine any further rounds or finalist interviews after those sessions. No appointments or finalist selections were announced at the April 15 meeting.