• Text saying "2023 Lake Dallas ISD Superintendent Search" with an illustration of a magnifying glass

    The Lake Dallas ISD Board of Trustees has begun a search process for the school district's next superintendent following the departure of Dr. Mike Rockwood in April.

    In Texas, school boards oversee the employment of superintendents at public school districts. As such, they evaluate the current superintendent and hire a new superintendent when needed. In this role, Lake Dallas ISD trustees will determine candidates for the position with the assistance of Walsh Gallegos, which will search for candidates that meet trustees' desired traits and recommend those candidates to the school board.

    Once candidates are selected, trustees will interview each individual before selecting a lone finalist. After a lone finalist is selected, a state-mandated 21-day waiting period will begin before the hire can become official.

    Lake Dallas ISD families can expect additional communication about the search process in the coming weeks and months.

    Download Superintendent Search Brochure


    Candidate Profile

    As part of their search process, Lake Dallas ISD trustees have determined a set of qualifications they wish to see reflected in candidates for the position. Additionally, trustees will use community input gathered from a community survey for candidate characteristics. A list of qualities trustees are looking for in candidates is as follows:

    • Required: Texas superintendent certificate
    • Required: Minimum 10 years' of experience in education
    • Preferred: Doctoral Degree
    • Preferred: Prior superintendent experience
    • Preferred: Central office or campus administrative experience

     


    Timeline

    The timeline listed below is estimated based on best practices and legal requirements of when each action by the Lake Dallas ISD Board of Trustees would take place in the superintendent search process. Please note these dates are subject to change.

    March
    27

    Highland Park ISD named Dr. Mike Rockwood, Lake Dallas ISD superintendent of schools, as the lone finalist to the same position at its school district, beginning a state-mandated 21-day waiting period before the hire can become official

    March
    30

    Approved the school board president to execute an agreement with Walsh Gallegos to conduct a search for the new Lake Dallas ISD superintendent of schools and named Dr. Karen Rue as Interim Superintendent.

    April
    11

    Trustees set/discussed criteria, qualifications and timeline

    April
    14

    Vacancy for superintendent position posted and application period officially opens

    May

    Superintendent survey sent out to staff, parents and community stakeholders (Superintendent Survey Results)

    May
    25

    Application period for superintendent position closes

    May
    29

    Trustees review applications, select candidates to interview, discuss contract terms and finalize interview questions

    June
    3

    Trustees interview candidates (60-minute sessions), selecting the top two to three candidates for second-round interviews

    June
    8-9

    Second-round interviews conducted, with potential board action possible to name a lone finalist

    June
    29

    Trustees formally vote to hire new superintendent following state-mandated 21-day waiting period, which began once vote to name lone finalist took place

    To be negotiated

    Superintendent reports to District