Leander ISD is keeping its top job close to home. The Board of Trustees has kicked off an internal search for the district's next superintendent, posting the vacancy and signaling that current staff will get first crack at the role as Superintendent Dr. Bruce Gearing winds down his tenure this school year.
According to KEYE/CBS Austin, the posting went live on Friday, and the district plans to push out a community survey to gather input from parents, staff,f and other stakeholders. The station also reports that Gearing has already stepped back from day-to-day operations as he heads toward retirement.
In its formal announcement, Leander ISD said the Board will move forward with an internal search and noted that the position "posted today." Board President Anna Smith pointed to the bench strength inside the district, saying, "We have strong confidence in the District’s internal leadership pipeline. That is what we do – grow leaders." Trustees say community feedback will be folded into the process as they try to balance continuity with the realities of rapid growth and major ongoing projects.
An internal search and a familiar face
The board tapped Deputy Superintendent Chris Clark, Ed.D., as acting superintendent in December and has now invited him to apply for the permanent role, according to Leander ISD. Clark joined Leander ISD in June 2023 as assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction before being promoted to deputy superintendent of learning and innovation. In the acting superintendent role, he is overseeing day-to-day operations while trustees work through the hiring process. District officials say limiting the search to internal candidates is meant to build on work already underway across campuses rather than starting over with an outsider.
Why this matters for Leander families
Gearing has led Leander ISD since 2019. During that time, the district expanded services, earned recognition as the College Board's AP Large District of the Year in 2023, and passed a $763 million bond package, according to the Houston Chronicle. With that kind of momentum, trustees have framed the internal search as a way to maintain stability. For families and staff, an internal hire could mean fewer disruptions to existing programs and staffing as long-range plans move ahead.
Next steps
The vacancy is posted on Frontline's AppliTrack system for internal applicants to view and apply. The Board says it will collect and synthesize community feedback, then share a more detailed timeline on the Superintendent Search webpage as the process advances. For those who want to dig into the details, the job posting is available through AppliTrack, and local broadcast coverage can be found at KEYE/CBS Austin.
