Austin ISD interim superintendent named lone finalist for Houston-area district

ALIEF, Texas (KXAN) — The Alief Independent School District Board of Trustees said Wednesday it named interim Austin ISD Superintendent Anthony Mays as its lone finalist to serve as the district’s next superintendent.

Alief is 15 miles southwest of Houston.

Prior to joining Austin ISD, Mays was the senior director of schools for the Harris County Department of Education. He has worked in Dallas and Fort Worth ISDs, starting at Pflugerville ISD as a special education teacher.

“The Board is incredibly excited to name Dr. Anthony Mays as lone finalist for superintendent of Alief ISD,” Alief ISD Board President Ann Williams said in a release Wednesday. “We are confident that he is the perfect candidate to serve as the district’s next leader.  He is a proven leader and advocate for public education. We look forward to this new chapter and collaboration in creating not only a stronger Alief ISD, but a stronger Alief community as well.”

“I am humbled and excited about the opportunity to lead Alief ISD and I look forward to working with our board members and community to continue to build towards the future,” said Mays in the release. 

Mays was chosen as Austin ISD interim superintendent in June 2022 to replace former AISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde, who now leads Dallas ISD. Elizalde was with AISD for about two years, helping the district through the coronavirus pandemic.

KXAN has reached out to Austin ISD for comment about the announcement. We will update this story once a response is received.