WACO (July 19, 2010)—With little more than a month before the start of the new school year, the Waco ISD is again searching for a new superintendent after Dr. Roland Hernandez was hired Monday as the chief administrative officer of the Corpus Christi ISD.
"It came about last night as an opportunity to consider," Dr. Hernandez told News 10 in a phone interview Monday night.
"After listening to what all it involved, and then visiting with my family about it, we thought it was something that would work out," Dr. Hernandez said.
Hernandez, who denied a published report last month that he was planning to leave Waco, succeeds Michael Briones effective early next month.
According to an organizational flow chart on the Corpus Christi Independent School District website, Dr. Hernandez will oversee Human Resources, Athletics, Security and Police, Legal Services, and Technology Services.
Waco ISD Board members contacted by News 10 late Monday afternoon said they weren't aware Hernandez was the finalist for the job and district spokesman Dale Caffey said he was unaware of any discussions until contacted for comment by News 10 on Monday afternoon.
The Waco Tribune-Herald reported last month that Hernandez's wife Cynthia told staff members and the board of directors of Avance in Waco that her husband had a new job offer and would be leaving the district, but Hernandez told the paper he wasn't going anywhere and said his wife's remarks were misinterpreted.
The Waco School Board hired Hernandez in June 2006 to replace Dr. Jerry Major. According to the Texas Education Agency, Hernandez was earning a base pay of $174,000.
The amount or terms of Hernandez's contract with CCISD were not available Monday night.
Hernandez had been deputy superintendent in Tyler since July 2003.
He served as deputy superintendent in Belton from 2001 to 2002.
He holds a PhD in education administration from the University of Texas at Austin, a master's degree from the University of Houston at Clear Lake and a bachelor's of science degree from Southwest Texas State University.
According to the Texas Education Agency, CCISD has more than 38,000 students. That compares to around 15,000 for Waco ISD.
"We are excited about the solid experience and depth of knowledge that Dr. Hernandez will bright to CCISD," said CCISD Superintendent D. Scott Elliff.
"He is anxious to be closer to his family here in the area, and we look forward to welcoming him and his family to Corpus Christi," Elliff said.
Hernandez and his wife have two children.
According to CCISD, Hernandez will start with CCISD in early August.
Meanwhile, Waco ISD board members contacted by News 10 said the search for an interim replacement could start as early as later this week.
Waco ISD's board is set to meet this Thursday, but an online agenda for the meeting made no mention of any search.
The board's next regularly scheduled meeting is set for July 29th.
