Dr. Paul Cruz finally dropped the "interim" from his superintendent title last night when the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees officially approved his contract through 2017.
Cruz stepped in as interim superintendent last April when Dr. Meria Castarphen left for Atlanta Public Schools.
Cruz's three-year contract with the district will have him earning $286,000 a year as superintendent, leading the district's 85,000 students and 12,000 staff members.
In December, Cruz became the district's only finalist for the position when others in the running dropped out of the contest.
Cruz said in a press release that he is "honored" to be appointed.
"I look forward to continuing the communication of the district's successes, working with staff and community members to address areas of needs, and carrying out the will of the Trustees," Cruz said.
Cruz's background includes 28 years of experience in the education field. KUT reporter Nathan Bernier interviewed Cruz back in August; listen to that below.
Or read/listen to education reporter Kate McGee's coverage here on Cruz and the school board.
