Dripping Springs ISD Board names lone finalist for superintendent

The school board enlisted the services of JG Consulting to conduct a nationwide search for the district’s next superintendent. The road to selecting a finalist has been an extensive process that began in January and included gathering input from district staff and the community to develop a leadership profile. The search included consideration of 50 applicants and a comprehensive candidate interview process of the top applicants.

Dripping Springs ISD Board President Barbara Stroud believes Dr. Morris-Kuentz is a great fit to serve the district as its next leader.

“We are so pleased to announce Dr. Holly Morris-Kuentz as the lone finalist for our superintendent position,” said Stroud. “Her experience, characteristics, and skills closely match the leadership profile that was developed with input from our community. We are confident that Dr. Morris-Kuentz will provide the strong leadership Dripping Springs needs to navigate the growth in our community and to help fulfill our commitment to provide an outstanding educational experience for every student in our District.” 

No stranger to Dripping Springs ISD’s fast-growth needs, Dr. Morris-Kuentz has served in neighboring Lake Travis ISD since 2009. As Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Morris-Kuentz currently provides leadership for 11 elementary and secondary principals, as well as the Curriculum and Instruction, Communications, Development and Corporate Relations, Administrative and Legal Services departments.

Dr. Morris-Kuentz works collaboratively with both internal and external stakeholders on key district needs including attendance zones, safety and security, and long-range planning. Dr. Morris-Kuentz also serves on the Executive Committees of the Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce, the Texas Association of Curriculum and Development, and is a member of the Fast-Growth School Coalition. During her tenure at LTISD, she served as acting superintendent and has also supervised the Human Resources, Athletics, and Fine Arts departments. 

Dr. Morris-Kuentz looks forward to working with the Dripping Springs school board, parents, students, staff and the community on a shared vision of providing the very best educational experiences for all students. 

“It is an honor to be selected as superintendent finalist for Dripping Springs ISD,” said Dr. Morris-Kuentz. “I am eager to begin, and I look forward to learning our traditions, celebrating our progress, understanding our District’s and community’s needs, and thoughtfully supporting the exciting growth ahead. I am familiar with the opportunities and challenges in a fast-growing area, and I am confident we will work together as one Tiger family to achieve remarkable results.”

Dr. Morris-Kuentz and her husband, John, a middle school teacher, are the proud parents of Timothy, Mikaela and Samuel. Her educational background consists of a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Texas at San Antonio, a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Houston Baptist University, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Texas at Austin. 

The Dripping Springs ISD school board will officially vote on the position at a special called meeting in early May 2021. Pending approval, Dr. Morris-Kuentz will begin her tenure as the Dripping Springs ISD Superintendent in May.