SAN BENITO — After a month-long search, the school board’s majority has named interim superintendent Theresa Servellon as its finalist for the superintendent’s job.
Now, state law requires a 21-day waiting period before she is “officially named superintendent,” the district posted on its Facebook page.
“The lone finalist named exemplifies the qualities needed in our district,” board President Ramiro Moreno stated.
“We sought someone with good moral character, student-focused and innovative leadership and high expectations for student outcomes,” he stated. “Our guiding principle for the decision we made this evening is to continue providing a safe, nurturing, and learning-conducive environment for our students, staff and families. It was essential to name an individual that will provide our staff the support they need in order to serve our students in the most effective manner possible.”
In March, the board’s majority selected Servellon, a former longtime San Benito administrator and principal who had previously served as the South San Antonio school district’s chief academic officer, to serve as interim superintendent following Superintendent Nate Carman’s resignation after about five years on the job.
Candidates’ names withheld
During a special meeting Thursday, the board was scheduled to interview candidates before discussing them.
On Friday, district spokeswoman Isabel Gonzalez declined to release the candidates’ names and current positions, citing laws protecting their names from release.
Search process
Servellon’s selection comes after months of discussions surrounding launching a search for a superintendent.
In March, board members began planning for a search.
Then in April, they considered hiring the Texas Association of School Boards to the conduct the search for $7,800.
Later that month, board members debated opening the search to other firms.
A month ago, the board’s majority voted to launch the search based on Moreno’s proposal to advertise locally for applicants to “expedite” the selection as the new school year was opening.
Job qualifications
On July 19, officials began advertising for the position on the district’s website, listing qualifications including a master’s degree in education administration, five years’ experience in school administration and a Texas superintendent’s certification along with certification through the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Teachers Evaluation Support System.
“The superintendent shall be the chief executive officer of the district and shall be responsible for the effective execution of Texas education codes and policies adopted by the local board,” the advertisement stated. “The superintendent shall be responsible for the administration of all district operations and shall assign personnel responsibilities.”
The job’s duties include developing “goals and objectives for the district,” “regular evaluation of all programs and operations to determine improvements,” “policies on organization, finance, instructional programs, personnel, school plant and related functions of the district appropriate to the enhancement of effective educational programs,” “attitude of unity and harmony within the school board,” “administrative procedures and regulations for the management of school operations” and “all financial accounting and ensures that funds are managed and controlled effectively.”
Background
In March, Carman resigned to take a job with the Soccoro school district, with nearly 50,000 students.
Later that month, the board’s majority selected Servellon to serve as interim superintendent.
In 2017, the past school board hired Carman after a search firm produced a pool of 50 applicants.
In 2019, the board signed Carman to a four-year contract paying an annual salary of $202,776 along with a $1,800 monthly stipend.
