The Austin ISD Board of Trustees voted to approve a one-year extension of Superintendent Meria Carstarphen's employment contract by one year to June 30, 2014. On March 23, 2009, the Board of Trustees approved the employment contract of Dr. Carstarphen as the district’s Superintendent for a four-year term commencing on July 1, 2009 and ending on June 30, 2013. All other provisions, including compensation, remain unchanged.

The board is confident that the extension of the Superintendent’s contract will be synonymous to the success that comes with stability and consistency in leadership. The action taken by the Board demonstrates that there is mutual commitment on their part and the Superintendent’s to see through the reforms already underway.

Dr. Carstarphen’s focus, both internal and external, continues to be on the needs of all students including the critical needs campuses, vertical teams and at-risk students, including a public acknowledgement of the ethical and economic importance of better serving our high-need students, while noting that the district has historically underserved these groups. She also focuses on the impact of educator quality, recognizing the critical nature of developing forward-thinking and effective individuals.

Under Carstarphen’s leadership, the district has seen steady growth in student enrollment as well as attendance rates that are now above 90 percent for the first time in AISD history. For the second consecutive year, at least 80 percent of all students met the state standard in every subject area.  AISD students who took the SAT in 2010-11 exceeded both state and national overall average scores.  Also, six high schools in AISD were listed among Newsweek’s “America’s Best High Schools.”

Committed to the community she serves, Carstarphen sits on a variety of boards throughout the city, including Austin Partners in Education, Children’s Optimal Health Network at Seton Hospital, Ballet Austin, Austin Symphony Orchestra and is a member of the Austin Chamber of Commerce.