Austin School Trustees tonight voted to hire Dr. Meria Carstarphen as AISD's next Superintendent, effective July 1, 2009. She succeeds Dr. Pat Forgione, who is retiring after a decade of District leadership.

Statement by AISD Board President Mark Williams
Statement by Dr. Meria Carstarphen
Key Provisions of Contract
Press Conference: Announcement of New Superintendent for AISD (03/23/2009)

"Since she was named our sole finalist for Superintendent on February 26, Dr. Carstarphen has been received warmly and enthusiastically by the Austin community, and AISD students and staff, in a variety of engagements," Board President Mark Williams said. "Our community has quickly come to recognize her as a passionate, energetic, reform-minded visionary, who understands the challenges of a diverse urban school district. We're excited to welcome her to Austin."

Dr. Carstarphen visited Austin on February 26-28, March 5-7, and on March 10. She has visited and met with students and staff at eight Austin campuses, and discussed her vision for the Austin School District with citizens at two well-attended "Community Conversations." She also met with Congress Members Lloyd Doggett and Lamar Smith; Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott; several members of the Central Texas Legislative Delegation; District principals and administrators; and with a wide range of business, non-profit, faith-based, and other community leaders.

"From these busy visits to Austin, I have already become acquainted with a community that is clearly passionate about education and the success of its public schools," Dr. Carstarphen said. "I am proud to assume leadership of a School District that is recognized nationally for its excellence and its commitment to the success of all children."

As Superintendent of the St. Paul, Minnesota, Public Schools since 2006, Dr. Carstarphen has guided a diverse urban school district that is similar to Austin in many respects: multi-cultural school environments; a growing number of English Language Learner students; and challenges in overcoming achievement gaps among student groups.

Prior to serving the St. Paul Public Schools, Dr. Carstarphen was the Chief Accountability Officer of the District of Columbia Public Schools; and Executive Director for Comprehensive School Improvement and Accountability in Kingsport, Tennessee. Her professional experience also includes elementary education work abroad in Spain and Venezuela. She began her career in public education as a middle school Spanish and documentary photography teacher in Selma, Alabama, where she grew up.

Dr. Carstarphen holds a Bachelor's degree from Tulane University and a Master's degree from Auburn University. She earned a Doctorate in Education from Harvard University, and has also studied at the University of Seville, Spain, and the University of Innsbruck, Austria.

President Williams said Dr. Carstarphen's professional affiliation with the Educational Testing Service, the Asia Society, the Council of Great City Schools, and the Harvard Urban Superintendent Advisory Board, among other well-known national organizations, will enhance AISD's position in the national urban education arena. As chair of the Council of Great City Schools Task Force on English Language Learners and Bilingual Education, Dr. Carstarphen will host a Conference in St. Paul on May 6-9 to explore new ways of addressing the educational challenges facing non- and limited-English speaking students.

Dr. Carstarphen has also served the local St. Paul community as a member of the governing boards of the Greater Twin Cities United Way, St. Paul Public Schools Foundation, Minneapolis Foundation, Minnesota Children's Museum, and the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.