(Seguin) — The Seguin ISD Board of Trustees has appointed an interim superintendent. Unanimously appointed to the position Wednesday night was Seguin ISD Chief Financial Officer Elizabeth Banks (formerly Oaks). Banks is said to have over a decade’s worth of finance and operations experience.
Just before making that decision, Seguin ISD Board President Denise Crettenden said trustees also voted to amend the retirement agreement that formally transitions Superintendent Veronica Vijil to the role of superintendent emeritus. While this move was always part of the plan, Crettenden explained that it simply happened a bit earlier than expected – offering up the opportunity to name an interim.
As for the timing and reasoning, Crettenden said she couldn’t share specific details behind the decision, but confirmed it was mutually agreed upon by attorneys representing both parties.
“It just amended the date that Dr. Vijil went from our superintendent to the emeritus position that was already happening — that was scheduled to happen at the end of June, and it just moved up to this date,” said Crettenden.
The amendment to the voluntary retirement agreement, states that “Vijil may engage in employment/consulting activities that do not substantially interfere with her ability to perform her duties of Superintendent Emeritus pursuant to this Agreement.”
Crettenden says that statement allows her to continue in that role through Dec. 31 of this year.
“The superintendent emeritus was set up in a way that the new superintendent can sort of decide what that looks like – and where they think she can best help the district,” said Crettenden.
Meanwhile, Crettenden says Banks will assume the position until the district names a new superintendent in July. Crettenden says the school board has confidence in Bank’s ability to oversee the district’s operation over these next few weeks.
“I think she is going to do a great job and really get us where we need to be for this next superintendent to be very successful. There is a lot that goes on in the summer, and I think people may not realize we’re right in the middle of hiring and doing the budget and we have construction projects going on. There are things happening every day and so I think she is going to be great at making sure those things are running smoothly and will just set us up for a great next school year,” said Crettenden.
As for Banks, she says she looks forward to the opportunity. She says much of the work that is before the district at this time of the year is work that she is very familiar with. She says her role as chief financial officer is more than crunching numbers and has been a part of the many components of the district’s current operation.
“It makes me feel great that the board trusts me. There is a lot going on. We need to keep moving forward, keep making decisions and like she said, be ready for our new superintendent hopefully in July – a permanent superintendent. But we’ve got a million things. We have construction at Barnes. We’ve got construction at transportation, our AG facility – almost all of our elementary campuses are getting new furniture. We’ve got the budget. We’ve got the legislative year. We are in the middle of hiring. We’ve got a lot going on – getting ready for kids and teachers to be back in August. I’ve been doing this long enough in all facets of schools that I think we can set up the new superintendent up well,” said Banks.
Banks joined the district as chief financial officer in April 2024. She has over a decade of experience in finance and operations, having served as chief financial officer for La Vernia ISD and Lamesa ISD, as well as having served as the business manager for Miami (TX) ISD. Prior to moving into finance, Banks served two years in the classroom.
Banks is currently a registered Texas School Business Administrator (RTSBA), a member of the Texas Association of
School Officials (TASBO) and the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA).
Crettenden adds that Banks already has a great working relationship with the district’s leadership staff, and is confident that she can implement the support and guidance that is required to keep things up and running.
The school board spent the remainder of the special meeting Wednesday behind closed doors with TASB’s (Texas Association of School Boards) Executive Search Services to go over potential candidates. Those candidates are expected to undergo the first round of interviews this Saturday, May 31. A second round of interviews is also planned for June 9.
Again, if all goes according to plan, the board will vote to name a lone finalist on June 17. Then following state law, which requires the board to wait 21 days before officially hiring someone, the formal vote to hire the new superintendent would take place on July 10.