The search for a new superintendent for the Argyle School District is underway, and School Board President Dr. Debbie Cantrell said the district will continue to look as long as it takes.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Telena Wright will serve as interim superintendent until the position is filled.
"We have posted the job, and we listed some general things that we were looking for on the district web site," Cantrell said. "The board really does want community input and input from our faculty, staff and administration, so we can get feedback from everyone involved."
The Argyle School Board will be having a specially called meeting to discuss the superintendent situation in August. Cantrell said there will be other community meetings in July for the public to come out and voice opinions regarding their own expectations.
A proposal for the termination of former AISD Superintendent Dr. Jason Ceyanes was filed on March 3, which Ceyanes sought to appeal with a hearing examiner while placed on administrative leave.
Though Ceyanes never received a hearing, the AISD and its former superintendent did reach a settlement, whereby the district agreed to reinstate Ceyanes if he resigned, which he did on May 20.
He is now the superintendent with the Mexia School District. In addition to Mexia, the district serves the town of Tehuacana in Limestone County, which is situated east of Waco.
Ceyanes drew criticism from some members of the Argyle community last fall for the district’s handling of alleged inappropriate dancing and dress code violations at the Argyle High School’s homecoming dance.
Cantrell could not comment on why Ceyanes’ termination was proposed, but did say that the district is not looking for a superintendent who will "turn a blind eye" to problems the AISD may confront.
"We want to find the candidate that is the best qualified," Cantrell said. "We want our superintendent to meet either problems or accolades of our district head on, and that will be diplomatic and professional in their approach. We are not looking for someone who will just pass the buck or overlook problems, or that kind of thing."
Cantrell said there is no time limit for the search, but added that the board has a tentative goal of making the deadline for application October 17.
The board would then screen the applicants from October 27 to 31, interview the candidates from November 10 to 14, potentially announce a lone finalist by November 24, and finally select a new superintendent "on or around" December 15.
"All of these are tentative and subject to change," Cantrell said. "If it takes longer, it takes longer."