Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa To Retire At End Of The Year
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Two Dallas ISD-aligned sources said on Wednesday, Jan 12 that Superintendent Michael Hinojosa will announce Thursday in a news conference, that he is retiring from the district's top spot at the end of the year.
@dallasschools #Breaking @CBSDFW Supt Michael HINOJOSA to announce #Retirement - #DISD sources also say he may run for #DallasMayor
— STEVE PICKETT (@STEVEPICK11) January 12, 2022
Hinojosa's current contractual agreement with the district calls for the formulation of a "Succession Plan," to recruit and retain a new chief leader of the school system.
Rena Honea, the head of the largest teachers association, praised Hinojosa on the eve of his expected retirement announcement.
"He is a very strong leader in the educational world, but we had a professional working relationship where we could at least talk things out, listen to each other give suggestions," she said.
Honea said Hinojosa's leadership was on display after the 2019 tornado that forced the rebuilding of schools and later the COVID-19 pandemic.
But she says it was getting a $3.5 billion bond passed last year that might be his biggest accomplishment.
"I think he has been able to do that because of his skills to listen, to collaborate to just being a good strong leader based on the experiences he has had," said Honea.
Current assistant superintendent Susanna Cordova was named by sources as the most likely successor.
Hinojosa's retirement would not take effect until December 2022, and he would also remain as advisor "Superintendent Emeritus" until the board approves either Cordova or another candidate.
According to sources, Hinojosa is being recruited as a Dallas Mayoral candidate for 2023.
Hinojosa has not yet commented.
Hinojosa was already the district's leader from 2005 to 2011. He holds the honor of being the longest-serving superintendent in Dallas ISD history.
Even before taking on that job, Hinojosa was a teacher, coach and administrator in the school district. He is also a product of the system, having graduated from Sunset High School in Oak Cliff.
Hinojosa left his spot as Dallas ISD superintendent to take on the top job at a school district near Atlanta.
He left there three years ago and returned to Texas, most recently working as an education consultant for a private firm.
J.D. Miles contributed to this report.