Board votes in new AISD superintendent

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Austin Independent School District board officially voted in Meria Carstarphen, 39, as the next AISD superintendent. The action was taken at a special called meeting Monday night. Carstarphen will replace Pat Forgione who will be retiring at the end of June after serving as the AISD superintendent for 10 years.

"We cannot and will not be afraid to change what needs changing to better serve the interests of our children," said Carstarphen.

Carstarphen is currently the superintendent of St. Paul, Minn. public schools, where she spent three years. She earned her doctorate from Harvard University and can speak Spanish. She will be the first woman and African-American superintendent to become superintendent.

AISD first announced Carstarphen’s appointment Feb. 26. The Star Tribune in St. Paul reported Carstarphen will be leaving behind a $25 million budget deficit for next year. The St. Paul district is also at the beginning of a large restructuring process. Her three-year contract with St. Paul expires in June.

Carstarphen signed a four-year contract with AISD Monday night with an annual salary of $275,000. A $25,000 maximum annual performance bonus was also included. Her first official day on the job will be July 1, 2009.