Hinojosa sole finalist for open Dallas ISD superintendent job

The former superintendent for the Dallas Independent School District was named the sole finalist to make him superintendent – again.

The school board on Tuesday voted 8-1 to make Dr. Michael Hinojosa the sole finalist, but must wait 21 days due to legal reasons to officially name him superintendent. Hinojosa was the only applicant for the job.

Hinojosa served from 20015-2011 and left Dallas ISD to lead a suburban Atlanta school district. Hinojosa managed to survive a budget catastrophe in 2008 when an error led the district to have a $64 million budget shortfall. Layoffs were required and 375 teachers and 40 assistant principals and counselors lost their jobs.

School board trustees spoke highly of Hinojosa at Tuesday’s meeting, including the one person who voted against him. Joyce Foreman said teachers under Hinojosa's first tenure had urged her to vote no.

But trustee Miguel Solis, who was a teacher under Hinojosa, said his strategies worked.

Hinojosa said this time around he will be here as long as the board wants him.

Rena Honea, president of the teacher's union, said teachers are describing a better atmosphere with more freedom and less tension and fear with Hinojosa in charge.

“I think it's a step in the right direction, on the road to regaining the successful attitude,” Honea said.

Hinojosa has been the interim superintendent since Mike Miles quit earlier this year.