During a special-called session on Tuesday, the Spring Independent School District Board of Trustees approved a contract extension for Superintendent Dr. Kregg Cuellar through 2031, reaffirming its confidence in his leadership and commitment to the district’s continued progress.

The action comes less than a year after Dr. Cuellar was named Superintendent of Schools and follows a year marked by academic gains, organizational improvements, and a renewed focus on accountability, student achievement, and customer service across the district.

Cuellar began serving as Superintendent on Sept. 9, 2025, after previously spending three years as Spring ISD’s Chief of Academics and School Leadership. During that time, he developed a deep understanding of the district’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities while helping lay the foundation for many of the improvement efforts now taking shape across the system.

“Over the past year, we’ve seen meaningful progress across our district, from academic growth to stronger systems and enhanced support for students and staff under Dr. Cuellar’s leadership,” Spring ISD Board President Justine Durant said. “He stepped into a challenging situation, assembled a strong senior leadership team, and helped move the district in the right direction. We’re already seeing encouraging signs of progress, including preliminary accountability results showing districtwide growth, especially at the high school level.”

The early results are part of a broader transformation taking place across the district. Since assuming the superintendent role, Cuellar has led efforts to strengthen instructional systems, improve organizational alignment, and foster a culture centered on accountability and results. Under his leadership, Spring ISD has focused on improving academic outcomes while continuing to expand opportunities for students through innovative programs, schools of choice, career and technical education pathways, and college readiness initiatives.

Through a focus on accountability, customer service, operational excellence, and student achievement, Cuellar is leading the district into what many are calling ‘the new Spring ISD’ — a district united by purpose, a culture of accountability, and committed to creating opportunities for every student. 

Those efforts are already producing measurable results. Preliminary 2026 STAAR End-of-Course (EOC) results show Spring ISD achieved the highest year-over-year growth in the region, with students demonstrating gains across all tested subjects. Algebra I increased by 16 points from 2025, English I by 11 points, English II by six points and Biology by four points. Districtwide, students posted a 37-point increase in meeting the passing standard, while performance at the higher Meets and Masters levels grew by a combined 61 points across all EOC subjects since 2025.

“This work has never been about one person,” Cuellar said. “It belongs to our teachers, principals, support staff, students, families, and Board of Trustees. Together, we have established a clear vision, raised expectations, and focused on what matters most — student success. While we are proud of the progress we’ve made, we know there is still important work ahead, and I am honored to continue serving alongside this community as we build on our momentum.”

Throughout his career, Cuellar has emphasized that every child deserves access to a high-quality education and that lasting improvement occurs when organizations are united by a shared purpose. That belief closely aligns with Spring ISD’s guiding principle of “Together in Culture. Together in Accountability.”

Trustee Liz Jensen praised Dr. Cuellar’s performance during a year marked by significant challenges, noting that his leadership has helped move the district forward and accelerate student success. 

“I am incredibly impressed with Dr. Cuellar’s performance during his first year as superintendent,” Jensen said. “When we met one-on-one, I described him as a firefighter superintendent, and he has delivered more than I expected.”