She would become the first Hispanic woman in district’s history to hold top leadership position

Dr. Lupita Hinojosa

The Spring ISD Board of Trustees on Thursday unanimously voted to name Dr. Lupita Hinojosa as the lone finalist for superintendent of the Spring Independent School District, which would make her the first Hispanic woman in the district’s history to hold the top leadership position.

Hinojosa, who currently serves as the district’s chief of Innovation and Equity, would officially become superintendent after the required 21-day waiting period designated under statute. She begins in her position on Feb. 1. Hinojosa succeeds Dr. Rodney E. Watson, who announced in October that he was departing the district to become deputy executive director for the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB).

Spring ISD Board President Justine Durant said Hinojosa stood out among the candidates vying for the position, citing her three decades as a public education leader as well as her deep commitment to serving students first.

“Dr. Hinojosa brings to this role tremendous experience, dedication and heart,” Durant said. “She is sharply focused on providing every student what they need to flourish academically, socially and emotionally. She has a proven track record of success as an advocate for students and families, and as a board we know Dr. Hinojosa will take Spring ISD to even greater heights.”

Hinojosa said the opportunity to serve the students of Spring ISD as superintendent is an honor and a responsibility she intends to approach with commitment, innovation and tenacity.

“My career started in the classroom, and that’s the perspective I like to take when making any decisions or formulating any strategies for helping our students achieve success,” Hinojosa said. “As superintendent of Spring ISD, I hope to build on the successes we’ve accomplished but also build capacity for new avenues of transformation.”

Hinojosa, who was born to immigrant parents and raised in South Texas as a first-generation Mexican American, began her career in education as a bilingual teacher in the Houston Independent School District. She is a graduate of the University of Texas and holds a master’s and Doctorate of Education from the University of Houston.

She advanced as a leader in Houston ISD, serving as principal, assistant superintendent for School Choice, and as school services officer.

Upon joining Spring ISD in 2014 as chief academic officer, she helped oversee the implementation of the district’s Five-Year Strategic Plan focused on student-centered transformation. In her current role as chief of Innovation and Equity, her primary purpose has been to create opportunities for all students from various backgrounds to ensure excellent and equitable outcomes – securing more than $40 million in grants for school and district transformation efforts.

Watson, who joined Spring ISD as superintendent in 2014, said he was thrilled with the board’s selection of Hinojosa as his successor.

“There is no stronger leader than Dr. Hinojosa and no stronger advocate for students,” Watson said. “If you consider her contributions to the district thus far, you can see the upward trajectory she has already charted. She understands the district, and she has a plan. There is no other direction than up for Spring ISD.”