Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees has named Dr. Steve Flores as its lone finalist for the position of Superintendent of Schools to replace retiring superintendent, Dr. Jesús H. Chávez.
Dr. Flores has served as the Superintendent of Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District since July 2008, where he has increased graduation rates and student achievement. In addition, the district passed a $98.6 million bond referendum in May 2010. Prior to Harlingen, Dr. Flores served the students of Dallas ISD, first as the Area VI Superintendent then Deputy Superintendent and finally Chief of Staff. He has served as an Assistant Superintendent for both Pflugerville ISD and Round Rock ISD. While at Round Rock ISD he also served briefly as the Acting Superintendent.
The naming of Dr. Flores culminates a process that has spanned nearly four months beginning with the appointment of the search firm Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates on March 27 and followed by extensive community meetings to create a Leadership Profile. During the month of April, the search firm conducted hearings, focus groups, individual and town hall style meetings with Trustees, school district staff (teachers, administrators and support personnel), parents and students, as well as community people representing all segments including the faith and business communities. In addition, more than 1,100 people participated in a survey on the desirable characteristics of the next superintendent.
“Our district continues to attract high-quality applicants and we believe Dr. Flores has the vision and leadership skills to ensure our district remains one of the very best in the state,” said Board President Catherine Hanna. “Dr. Flores rose to the top of our list and we trust that he will bring an energy level that encourages innovation and collaboration.”
“I am honored by the Board’s confidence in me and thrilled to return to Round Rock ISD where I hold many fond memories of the supportive staff and community,” said Dr. Flores upon learning of the announcement. “I believe the Board and I share the same philosophy of putting students at the core of all decisions.”
Steve Flores began his educational career as a paraprofessional working for three years in San Angelo ISD while completing his Bachelor’s degree. He then went on to become a teacher and a coach, followed by serving as a Vice Principal at Central High School and then Principal of Edison Junior High School all in San Angelo.
Dr. Flores worked as the Executive Assistant for Special Projects for the Texas Association of School Administrators while finishing his Ph. D. from the University of Texas at Austin in Educational Administration. He earned his Superintendent’s Certificate from Texas Tech University in Lubbock and his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from Angelo State University.
Among his many honors and awards are:
- Recipient of the Richard Miller Scholarship Award from the American Association of School Administrators in 2001
- 2001 Outstanding Leader in Education – Texas Teaching Commission
- Region XV Principal of the Year, 1998
- Region XV High School Assistant Principal of the Year, 1996
- Meritorious Leadership Commendation, 2007- University of Texas Austin Superintendency Program
- Member of the Texas Association of School Administrators Executive Committee, Legislative Committee, Visioning Institute and Chair of the Texas Leadership Center.
- Dr. Flores is married to Amy, who was a teacher at Fern Bluff Elementary School in Round Rock ISD from 1999 to 2006 and currently teaches in Harlingen. They have two sons, Joshua, a teacher in Douglas County, Colorado and Zachary, a college sophomore at Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois. Both Joshua and Zachary attended school in Round Rock ISD during their earlier school years.
State law requires a 21-day waiting period after the finalist is announced before the Board can enter into a contract with the candidate.
