Superintendent

The San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) Board of Trustees in partnership with WorkTogether Talent Consulting is seeking a visionary results-driven and community-centered leader to serve as the next Superintendent of Schools. SAISD is San Antonios founding school district one of Texass largest and most storied urban school systems educating approximately 42000 students across more than 80 campuses in the heart of the Alamo City. The Board invites applications from experienced leaders who are deeply committed to ensuring every child succeeds and who will embrace San Antonios vibrant community as their own.

Every child. Every day.

DISTRICT AT A GLANCE

WE BELIEVE...

The San Antonio ISD aspires to be an inclusive familia that will be the destination for transformational learning that makes the impossible a reality demonstrating an urgent and relentless commitment to love nurture and teach all our students as if they are our own so that they realize their power to shape the world.

Our Core Beliefs:

• Every student family community and staff member should be valued and their differences should be honored and respected.

• Every student and family should have equitable access to an excellent educational experience and can learn and achieve at high levels.

• Every student family and staff member is entitled to a safe and secure learning and work environment.

QUALIFICATIONS

The qualifications below reflect the Board of Trustees superintendent leadership priorities as informed through a comprehensive community engagement process conducted by WorkTogether Talent Consulting including Board member interviews stakeholder focus groups a community town hall and a community input survey completed by more than 2000 respondents.

Priority Qualifications

• Proven superintendent or senior executive leadership experience in a large urban school system: A demonstrated track record of measurable academic improvement in a high-poverty complex urban context is the single most important credential for this role. Prior superintendent or assistant/deputy superintendent experience is preferred. Five (5) or more years of executive-level leadership required.

• Demonstrated ability to turn around underperforming schools: A clear record of results improving academic outcomes at scale including at persistently low-performing campuses. The ability to develop and execute a coherent evidence-based instructional improvement plan and to stay the course is required. Candidates who demonstrate the resilience and adaptability to lead through sustained change maintain focus on long-term goals under pressure and remain accountable for the outcomes of their decisions will be strongly positioned to succeed in this role.
  

• Exceptional people leadership and talent development: A skilled executive who builds strong high-performing leadership teams by identifying recruiting and empowering talented individuals across all areas of district operations. Able to assess organizational talent quickly make strategic personnel decisions and delegate effectively recognizing that exceptional leadership is defined not by personal expertise in every domain but by the ability to surround oneself with the right people develop their capacity and hold them accountable for results.

• Innovative and entrepreneurial thinking: A demonstrated ability to approach leadership with creativity and fresh thinking across academic fiscal and operational dimensions. Candidates who have identified new opportunities built collaborative cross-sector partnerships or developed inventive solutions within complex policy and funding environments including leveraging state resources interdistrict collaboration or new program models will bring a meaningful and valued advantage to this role.

• Commitment to transparency: A leader who operates with openness and integrity as a matter of principle proactively sharing information communicating difficult decisions honestly and ensuring that all families and stakeholders feel genuinely informed and included not just those with access to formal channels.

• Deep knowledge of curriculum instruction and what drives student learning: A strong working knowledge of curriculum instruction and best practices for student learning is highly valued. The ideal candidate will be familiar with the principles of high-quality instructional materials Tier 1 instruction and data-informed decision-making at the campus and district level.

• Investment in teachers principals and staff: A leader who puts students first and recognizes that serving them well requires investing in the people closest to them championing competitive compensation meaningful professional development and a workplace culture where educators feel genuinely supported and celebrated.

• Community and civic partnership development: A strong ability to cultivate and sustain meaningful partnerships across a broad range of constituencies including business leaders faith communities neighborhood associations civic organizations and philanthropic partners is highly valued. Candidates who have demonstrated success engaging diverse external stakeholders and translating those relationships into tangible investments resources or programmatic support will find those skills directly applicable and impactful in San Antonio.

• Develop and sustain effective Board relationships: Ability to build and maintain a productive trust-based working relationship with all seven members of the Board of Trustees.

• Commitment to educational excellence across all student populations: An unwavering advocate for every students access to high-quality learning regardless of background ZIP code disability status or language. Particular attention to closing persistent achievement gaps for economically disadvantaged students English learners students with disabilities and historically underserved student groups.

• Champion of SAISDs school choice and innovation portfolio: Familiarity with or appreciation for a diverse portfolio of school models including traditional neighborhood schools magnet programs dual language academies and SB 1882 partnership schools is a valued asset. Candidates who have worked in or alongside multi-model district environments or who demonstrate genuine curiosity and openness toward school choice as a strategy for student access and success are strongly encouraged to apply.

Additional Qualifications

• Financial vision and fiscal oversight: A working familiarity with school finance budget management and resource allocation is expected. Deep financial expertise is not required but rather the confidence and judgment to set a clear fiscal direction ask the right questions and hold a senior finance team accountable for delivering results. The ideal candidate has experience stewarding a district budget responsibly making student-centered resource decisions transparently and collaborating with a leadership team to navigate complex financial environments.

• Genuine visibility and community embeddedness: An approachable accessible leader who builds authentic relationships by being present on campuses at community events and in the neighborhoods SAISD serves. Willingness to become deeply and genuinely invested in San Antonio and its communities.

• Cultural competency and bilingual proficiency: Deep respect for San Antonios predominantly Hispanic often bilingual community and its cultural heritage. Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is preferred.

• Exceptional communication skills: Outstanding written and oral communication skills across diverse audiences and settings are preferred.

Employment Requirements

Candidates must hold or be eligible to obtain a valid Texas Superintendent Certificate prior to employment. Eligibility for the standard Superintendent Certificate requires a minimum of a principal certificate or equivalent from another state. Questions regarding certification should be directed to the Texas Education Agency at .

In addition a Criminal History/Background Check and Fingerprinting are Required.

SALARY & BENEFITS

Salary and Benefits: Negotiable commensurate with qualifications and experience as determined by the Board of Trustees.

SELECTION PROCESS

All materials submitted as part of the superintendent application process will remain confidential to the full extent allowed by law. Applications and preliminary interview video recordings will be reviewed on a rolling basis by both WorkTogether Talent Consulting and the SAISD Board of Trustees. After this stage the SAISD Board of Trustees expects a 2 round interview process (first round and final) though the Board reserves the right to modify the process as necessary. The final selection is the sole responsibility of the Board. The Lone Finalist will be publicly announced and per Texas law there is a minimum 21-day waiting period before the Board may execute an employment contract.

San Antonio ISD is committed to non-discrimination on the basis of race color ethnicity culture religion national origin age sex gender identity gender expression sexual orientation appearance immigration/citizenship status home language socioeconomic status or disability in its educational programs services and District business functions.

Information on persons designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies can be found within SAISD Board Policies available online at: PROCESS

The Application Process is a Two-Step Process. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

All application materials must be submitted to this online application.

• A formal Letter of Interest addressing the SAISD Superintendent Leadership Profile

• A current comprehensive résumé

• A list of at least three professional references (name title organization phone email)

  • Note: References will only be contacted for finalists progressing to the Round 2 interview. Candidates will be notified before their references are contacted.

• Copies of official college/university transcripts

• Copy of current Texas Superintendent Certificate or evidence of eligibility

• A signed verification form (included here: your application packet is submitted you will receive an email invitation to Step 2.

  
  

  Step 2: Submission of Online Interview Questions No Later than Friday May 29th at 12:00pm/noon CDT.

  All candidates who apply will be emailed instructions on how to record and submit responses to a small set of online video interview questions.
  

  SEARCH TIMELINE

  
  

  SEARCH ACTIVITY	TIMELINE
  WorkTogether Talent Consulting Selected as Supt Search Firm	4/13/2026
  Community Engagement (focus groups town hall online survey)	4/21/2026 - 4/29/2026
  Superintendent Leadership Profile Finalized	5/1/2026
  Application Opens	5/4/2026
  Application Deadline (note: applications are reviewed on a rolling basis)	5/26/2026
  Video Interview Deadline (note: videos are reviewed on a rolling basis)	5/29/2026
  Lone Finalist Publicly Announced (21-day Waiting Period Begins)	No Later than July 1st