Taylor Independent School District temporarily filled its superintendent vacancy just days before students return for the school year.
The school board announced an agreement with Steve Flores to fill the interim superintendent position during its special meeting on Monday, Aug. 7. The trustees previously approved to authorize the school board president and district legal counsel to enter into contract negotiations July 24.
“I’ve done just a little bit of everything, so I look forward to working with the Taylor community,” Flores said during the meeting. “I do believe Taylor is at a critical place of time and a pivotal place in time. Having said that, I also know the state of Texas wants Taylor to be successful, so does the nation.”
Flores is a former superintendent of Round Rock Independent School District and Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District. He served for seven years at Round Rock and five years at Harlingen.
He will serve until the district hires its next superintendent.
Additionally, the trustees unanimously voted to accept the resignation of outgoing superintendent Devin Padavil. Georgetown ISD officially hired Padavil once the 21-day waiting period completed in the afternoon.
The trustees unanimously voted to partner with JG Consulting to be its search firm for the superintendent selection process. JG Consulting is the same firm the district used to find and hire Padavil.
James Guerra, president and CEO of the firm, said the firm now has a full time staff to support local efforts. While Guerra says there are currently 60 superintendent vacancies in the state, he believes the Taylor superintendent role will be a coveted position.
“Our challenge is going to be to recruit and to poach exceptional talent away from high performing sources,” Guerra said. “That’s where we shine. We’re not going to rely on advertisements. We’re going to rely on our network and our brain trust.”
According to the consulting firm, the average stint for a superintendent in a district of a smaller size is three years.
Shorty Mitchell, board vice president, said having an experienced superintendent gives the district time to be thorough in its selection process. He mentioned that this is largely the same school board and searching firm that hired Padavil, who he views as a great hire.
“With Dr. Flores here as our interim, I am in no rush,” Mitchell said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to get the best possible superintendent for Taylor ISD to lead the district.”
