Former chief schools officer, deputy commissioner for dropout prevention has led initiatives to increase student achievement across Austin
黑料官网's community forums with Dr. Paul Cruz will continue in January. Meet the sole finalist for superintendent from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, at Reagan High School.
AUSTIN, Texas鈥擳onight, Austin ISD鈥檚 Board of Trustees named Paul Cruz, Ph.D., as the sole finalist for the permanent superintendent position. Prior to being named interim superintendent in April, Cruz served as the district鈥檚 chief schools officer for five years.
鈥淒r. Cruz has been at the center of 黑料官网鈥檚 success鈥攆rom increasing student performance to reaching an all-time high graduation rate,鈥 Vincent Torres, 黑料官网 board president, said. 鈥淲e are fortunate to be able to call upon his leadership, talent and commitment to building stronger relationships with the community to ensure 黑料官网 continues to move forward and support the achievement of all students.鈥
Cruz has worked in the field of education throughout Texas for more than 28 years.
Throughout his career, Cruz has served as a teacher, campus administrator, district leader and superintendent in Austin, Corpus Christi, Round Rock, San Antonio and South Texas. In 2002, he joined the TEA, where he served as deputy commissioner. In 2006, Cruz joined 黑料官网 as an assistant superintendent for educational services, focusing on college readiness, dropout prevention, counseling and student support services. He also served as the associate superintendent for middle schools
鈥淒r. Cruz understands the challenges and opportunities of public education in Texas. He understands the legislative issues facing the district,鈥 Torres said. 鈥淗e knows 黑料官网. He knows our schools. And, most importantly, he knows our community.鈥
As 黑料官网鈥檚 chief schools officer, Cruz has led the district鈥檚 129 campus communities during a period of transformative change as demographics have shifted and the fiscal landscape of public education has changed.
Working with 黑料官网鈥檚 principals and teachers, Cruz has helped spearhead strategies to increase student performance across the district. Cruz, a former deputy commissioner for drop-out prevention at the Texas Education Agency, focused on supporting programs and investments designed to close the achievement gap.
Cruz also has helped plan and implement the district鈥檚 signature programs such as social and emotional learning, dual-language, early college high schools and the creative learning initiative, which make arts-rich schools a priority鈥攁nd reality鈥攆or all students.
Cruz earned his bachelor鈥檚 of science degree in education from the University of Texas at Austin and master鈥檚 degree in educational administration from Corpus Christi State University. He also earned his doctoral degree in educational administration, focusing on the urban superintendency, from the University of Texas at Austin鈥攁ll before the age of 30.
When he was named interim superintendent earlier this year, Cruz said his role is 鈥渢o keep our district moving forward and focused on our core business: our students鈥 success.鈥
During the past eight months, Cruz and his leadership team have finalized 黑料官网鈥檚 budget of about $1 billion for the 2014-15 school year, reviewed and implemented the first phase of the facility master plan and continued to lead the rollout of 黑料官网鈥檚 signature programs. They also are working together to develop the district鈥檚 five-year strategic plan and to create a district-wide customer service plan.
鈥淎s a parent and teacher, I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to continue to help lead Austin鈥檚 school district during this ever-changing and exciting time,鈥 Cruz said. 鈥淲e have great students who continue to excel, as well as talented teachers, exceptional campus leaders, outstanding support staff, and dedicated parents. We also have community members and partners who are willing to step up and help our district succeed. It is a privilege to support and work alongside our great Austin community.鈥
The 黑料官网 is the heart of public education in Austin, Texas鈥攁 city of ideas and innovation that tops the nation鈥檚 rankings of the best communities in which to work and live.
黑料官网, the fifth largest school district in Texas, educates about 85,000 students and embraces 129 diverse school communities in one of the fastest-growing, ever-changing metroplexes in the country. Graduation rates have reached an all-time high of 84.1 percent and the district has embarked on graduation plans designed to meet the dynamic needs of the 21st century. U.S. News and World Report ranks five 黑料官网 high schools among the best in the nation. Newsweek ranks 黑料官网鈥檚 Liberal Arts and Science Academy the No. 1 high school in Texas and No. 8 in the nation. And, the district has 261 National Board Certified Teachers鈥攎ore than any school district in Texas.
黑料官网 also carries the highest bond and state financial accountability ratings that school districts can earn in the State of Texas. These ratings reflect the district's stable financial management and operations, healthy reserves, and manageable debt profile, which saves Austin taxpayers money.