(Seguin) — The search will soon begin for a new superintendent in the Seguin ISD. Superintendent Dr. Veronica Vijil announced on Thursday her plans to retire after 32 years of public education. The announcement was made after the school board met in closed session for about an hour to discuss the superintendent’s retirement agreement and to discuss hiring a firm to conduct the search for the next superintendent.
What is now clear is that Dr. Vijil is retiring as superintendent of schools; however, the details of the retirement agreement get sort of complicated. Dr. Vijil has a contract that currently runs through June 30, 2027. The retirement agreement states that she will remain in her current position until June 30 of this year. At that time, she will be reassigned to the position of superintendent emeritus. She will then later resign as superintendent emeritus and officially retire from the district on December 31 of this year. That would make December 31, 2025, her last official day as an employee of the district.
The duties of the superintendent emeritus are not fully defined, but the resignation agreement states that Dr. Vijil may engage in employment or consulting activities –outside the district — once she assumes the position of superintendent emeritus this summer. She will continue to receive her current salary and full benefits until her official retirement date at the end of December 2025.
The agreement also calls for Vijil to serve as an advisor to the next superintendent on several matters, including the areas of instructional management, district improvements, student management, personnel management and facility improvement projects.
During her time as superintendent emeritus, Dr. Vijil will be provided with an office, computer and other equipment as necessary to perform any duties. In addition to her salary, Dr. Vijil will also receive a severance payment of $95,682, which must be paid before her resignation date.
The Seguin ISD Board of Trustees and Dr. Vijil issued a joint press release announcing her decision. Neither the board nor Dr. Vijil answered any additional questions about the resignation agreement. In the press release, Dr. Vijil explained her decision and said that she was making this announcement now so that the school board could have time to begin the selection process for the new superintendent. She also offered thanks for her time in the Seguin ISD.
“The level of community and district support we have experienced in Seguin ISD has been a hallmark of our success. I am grateful for the Board members who have allowed me to serve Seguin ISD. The Board and our dedicated staff have been committed to excellence at varied levels and facets of our district. Lastly, I want to acknowledge the campus and district leaders who have exercised visionary leadership in their daily work so that every student will be prepared to succeed after graduation. I am very proud of the work we have accomplished during my tenure. Our teachers, leadership team, and Board deserve the credit for working together as a team for the success of our students. I believe new leadership and the Board will bring new ideas to the table and continue to build on our legacy of success,” said Vijil.
Board President Denise Crettenden also used the press release to speak on behalf of the rest of the board.
“We value Dr. Vijil’s hard work in leading the district. Along with the Board, Dr. Vijil focused Seguin ISD and its stakeholders on identifying and developing the strengths and gifts of every child so that students can achieve success beyond high school graduation,” said Crettenden.
The full press release can be accessed via a link on our website, seguintoday.com.
Dr. Vijil previously served as superintendent of schools in the Fabens ISD near El Paso. She was initially named Seguin ISD’s deputy superintendent while the district was under the leadership of former Superintendent Matthew Gutierrez. Shortly after she arrived, Dr. Vijil was named the interim superintendent when Dr. Gutierrez resigned to take another position in the Austin area. The board later removed the interim tag and then formally hired Dr. Vijil as superintendent a little over a year ago. Her combined service as interim and acting superintendent means she has been at the helm of the district for approximately a year and a half.