On Tuesday night, the Eanes ISD Board of Trustees unanimously named Dr. Jeff Arnett as its lone finalist for the position of Superintendent of Schools to succeed retiring Superintendent Dr. Tom Leonard.
In making the announcement, Eanes Board President John Havenstrite thanked the community for its input and said, “As I’ve shared from the beginning of this process, this is one of the most important actions we can take as a Board. We are grateful for the unique position we are in because we have someone who knows our District and our community and happens to be one of the strongest superintendent candidates in the country.”
Arnett has served as Eanes ISD’s deputy superintendent since 2016. Prior to joining Eanes, Arnett spent eight years in Barrington 220, a suburban school district outside Chicago, where he served as assistant superintendent of operations & outreach and as chief communications officer. Before Barrington, he worked as the director of communications, education & public programs for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y.
“We are grateful for our unique position,” added Havenstrite. “We have someone who knows our students, our staff, our parents and our community. We have someone whose leadership characteristics align with the wants and needs identified by our community. And we have, in Dr. Arnett, one of the most sought-after superintendent candidates in the country.”
Current Superintendent Dr. Tom Leonard also heaped praise upon Arnett’s selection.
“I am incredibly excited for our community and Jeff,” said Leonard. “Having worked with Jeff for many years, across two states, I cannot think of a better match for Eanes ISD. I am confident the district will rise to new heights under his leadership.”
State law requires a 21-day waiting period after the finalist is announced before the Board can enter into a contract with the candidate. The Board is expected to vote on the final selection at the Feb. 22 regular board meeting.
