Superintendent Paul Cruz of the Austin Independent School District (AISD) today announced his resignation in a letter posted to the district’s website. He said that he has accepted a position with the University of Texas at Austin.
The outgoing superintendent served for six years at a time of both growth and uncertainty for Austin schools as charter school options proliferated throughout the city.
Cruz worked to implement a $1.05 billion bond package to upgrade schools and facilities, including a new headquarters in south Austin. He wrote, “I can confidently say that, as a team, we have transformed the urban school experience – one cutting-edge initiative at a time.”
In the fall, Cruz oversaw the contentious process of winning board approval for the closure of four Austin schools, a measure that he said was necessary to trim costs and adjust for Austin’s changing demographics and rising competition from charters schools.
Parents at the affected schools blasted him as having ulterior motives and branded the consolidation measures as #CruzClosures — a campaign that did not save the schools.
Another controversy involved AISD’s sexual education curriculum, which Cruz and the school board adopted from a Planned Parenthood affiliate. The curriculum drew fire from Christian parents, pastors, and the Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Austin.
In his letter, Cruz thanked both the school board and AISD staff, saying, “It has been an honor to have collaborated with such an amazing and dedicated team for whom I have the utmost respect. I am proud to recognize that together we worked to develop strong programming for our 81,000 students to ensure they are better prepared for college, career and life.”
The superintendent said that he would work with the board to ensure a smooth transition as he transitions to his new role at UT.
For its part, UT published a statement welcoming Cruz to its faculty and saying that he would begin in the fall as a as a professor of practice in the Cooperative Superintendency Program in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy.
Cruz will serve as co-director of that program in a non-tenure track position.
Cruz’s letter concludes, “As a parent and a team member in Austin ISD, I have many fond memories of my experience during my 14 years of service. I will look back on the insightful conversations I’ve had with students as I visited our exceptional schools, and the shared accomplishments with all of you throughout the district and with current and former board members. I am humbled by the trust you have placed in me as superintendent and by the opportunity to serve our students, staff and families.”
