On April 15, Dr. Paul Cruz, interim superintendent, provided the following update to AISD employees, families and the community:

Dear AISD Community,

Having served our students and families in Austin ISD for several years, I am honored and humbled to be named interim superintendent of our great school district. Austin ISD is an exceptional school system in which nearly 12,000 staff members work every day to make a positive difference in the lives of the more than 86,000 students we serve. I would like to take this moment to congratulate Dr. Carstarphen on her new role with Atlanta Public Schools and thank her for her leadership and commitment to our community.

Our mission at Austin ISD is to provide a comprehensive educational experience that is high quality, challenging and inspires all students to make a positive contribution to society. As interim superintendent, I will continue this work alongside all of you, who are the implementers of this mission.  

The job of an interim superintendent is to keep the organization moving forward and focused on our core work of educating our students. My first priority will be to ensure that we continue to support schools and improve performance for all students. Always looking through my lens as a teacher, administrator and parent, I will continue the work that has been my focus for nearly a decade: to see that all our students and staff have the support and resources they need to be successful.

As this school year draws to a close and we prepare for the 2014–15 school year, I know all of our district staff—principals, teachers, counselors, librarians, bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria workers and all support staff—will continue our focus on supporting our students and their families. We have exceptional educators and support staff on the front line every day making sure we are meeting the needs of our students.

I look forward to congratulating our seniors as they walk across the stage to accept their diplomas as 2014 graduates of the Austin Independent School District.
Thank you.

Sincerely,

Paul Cruz, Ph.D.