AISD superintendent receives raise after positive evaluation

At its Oct. 23 meeting, the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees approved the evaluation of Superintendent Paul Cruz and increased his annual salary to $310,958. The board also extended Cruz’s term to Dec. 31, 2020. Out of the many accomplishments made by the district under Cruz’s direction in the past academic year, board President Kendall Pace highlighted the district’s highest graduation rate ever of 90.7 percent. “Overall, the board feels Dr. Cruz is moving in the right direction,” Pace said. “We look forward to Dr. Cruz creating more opportunities for students to engage in authentic work.” After the vote to extend his contract, Cruz seemed grateful that it was over. “Good thing we can move on now,” Cruz said. “So uncomfortable. We always want our focus to be on our kids and (their) learning.”