Austin, TX—Tonight, Austin Independent School District's Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Mel Waxler as the new chief of staff, effective July 1. Waxler has held the position of general counsel for AISD since 2000. Waxler created the first in-house, legal department for the district, which reduced the legal expense budget by $1.6 million during the first three years. Previously, Waxler served as founder and principal of MpoWer, CEO at Wright and Greenhill, P.C., and legal counsel for the Texas Railroad Commission.

Austin, TX—Tonight, the Austin Independent School District announced the appointment of Pauline Dow as chief academic officer, effective July 1.

Austin, TX—Tonight, the Austin Independent School District's Board of Trustees approved naming Gilbert Hicks as the new associate superintendent for schools, effective July1.

Austin, TX—Tonight, the Austin Independent School District's Board of Trustees approved naming Suzanne Burke as the new associate superintendent for academics, effective July 1.

Austin, TX—Tonight, the Austin Independent School District's Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Kimiko Cartwright as the new executive director of educator quality, effective July1.

Austin, TX—Tonight, the Austin Independent School District's Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Leo Lopez as the new executive director of finance, effective July 1.

Austin, TX—Tonight, the Austin Independent School District's Board of Trustees confirmed Superintendent Meria Carstarphen's appointments of Gilma Sanchez as principal of Barrington Elementary School and Deborah Warnken as principal of Cowan Elementary School.

Austin, TX—After 11 years of keeping the Austin Independent School District safe and drug free, K-9 officer Buddy is retiring from the AISD Police department. Buddy joined the district as its first K-9 officer in 2001.

Austin, TX—Austin Independent School District Health Services Supervisor Tracy Lunoff is the runner up for the Fittest Executive category in the 2012 Fit Company Challenge.

More than 70 contenders, ages 24 to 61, participated in the city-wide challenge working out an average of six days a week. During the past year, contenders participated in community races, including more than 50 5K's, 10 marathons, 20 half Ironmans, three full Ironmans and 12 crossfit competitions. Combined, contenders ran more than 1,400 miles.