Austin ISD is proud to welcome new leaders at New Southwest Elementary School and Northeast Early College High School.

"Our principals are the leaders of school communities, and I know our schools are in great hands with these principals," said Superintendent Paul Cruz. "I look forward to seeing their positive impact on students, families and staff."

Trustees approved the following appointments at the board's regular voting meeting Nov. 18:

David Crissey will serve as principal of the new Southwest Elementary School. Crissey will transition from the principal at Kiker Elementary School, where he has served since July 2018. Beginning in January 2020, he will lead the construction project of the new Southwest Elementary School. Prior to serving at Kiker, he was assistant principal at Travis Early College High School for three years.

Crissey holds a master of arts degree in clinical teaching in emotional handicaps from the University of West Florida and a bachelor of arts degree in history and secondary education from Nazareth College of Rochester, New York.

Sterlin McGruder will serve as the new principal of Northeast Early College High School. Since 2013, McGruder has been the principal of the Gus Garcia Young Men's Leadership Academy. Prior to coming to AISD, he was the principal of David Daniels Elementary and the District Alternative Education Program in Grand Prairie, Texas, where he worked for approximately 13 years in various leadership and teaching roles.

McGruder has a master of science degree in education from the Texas A&M University-Commerce in Commerce, Texas, and a bachelor of science degree in interdisciplinary studies from East Texas State University in Commerce.