In a press release Wednesday, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath announced the appointment of a three-member board of managers and superintendent for Connally ISD.
The appointments follow the TEA's initiated takeover of the district after two schools received five consecutive failing accountability scores. Conservator Andrew Kim will continue to oversee the transition.
Dr. Josie Gutierrez will serve as the new superintendent of Connally ISD. She will begin work immediately under an interim contract, pending approval from the Board of Managers. Gutierrez has 30 years of education experience, including roles as a principal, teacher and Deputy Superintendent at Waco ISD. In her time with Waco ISD, she helped improve student outcomes and strengthened teacher recruitment and retention.
The following Connally ISD residents will serve as members of the three-person board of managers:
- Matthew Stufflebeam: A real estate broker of 20 years and Connally ISD parent. He is a Midway ISD graduate and Texas State alum and spent 11 years as an adjunct lecturer at McLennan Community College.
- Linda Peoples Lindsey: A Connally High graduate and daughter of former Connally ISD superintendent, Mac Peoples. She has a master's degree in educational administration and spent 37 years in public education as a teacher, coach and administrator.
- Carla Thomas: A Connally ISD alumna and parent, and former Connally ISD teacher. She holds a bachelor's degree in health services technology and master's degree in educational administration. She currently works as community health and wellness coordinator and part-time adult education instructor at McLennan Community College.
The board of managers will replace the current elected board of trustees and oversee the management of the district. The current elected board will remain in office, and hold elections, but has no governing powers.
Ahead of the takeover, the elected board made the decisions to close Connally Elementary School and return to a five-day school week. The board also decided to return to six-week grading periods, a shorter school day and a slightly longer school year. All were recommendations from the state.
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