Area Superintendent Sarah Grissom, Ed.D., will step into the role of Chief of School and Strategic Initiatives, a new position providing leadership for the Area Superintendent team, as well as planning, development and implementation of strategic initiatives districtwide. The Board of Trustees approved the Cabinet reorganization at Thursday’s meeting.
“I am ecstatic to announce Dr. Sarah Grissom as the new Chief of Schools and Strategic Initiatives for #1LISD,” said Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D. “Dr. Grissom brings 23 years of experience in LISD and a deep understanding of our culture as a district to her new role.”
“As we roll out the implementation of our 5-year strategic plan – which she created with the help of Dr. Sarah Martinez and a strong collaborative process – Sarah will be the perfect person to lead the charge,” Gearing added. “She will also be responsible for leading the Area Superintendent team to supervise and develop the instructional capacity of the district’s campus principals.”
Recognizing LISD principals as a critical component of the implementation of the district’s strategic plan, this new Chief of Schools position will provide the necessary support and coaching to ensure the needs of our principals are met, primarily through the reduction of the Area Superintendent-to-school ratio. In addition, this structural change will provide tighter system alignment between the Area Superintendent team and the Teaching and Learning department.
In 2014, Grissom started in her current role as an area superintendent. Before that, she spent seven years as the leader of Faubion Elementary School. Grissom began her career in LISD in 1998, serving as an assistant principal, a secondary math facilitator, a secondary math teacher and a middle school dance director.
“I am honored to step into the role of Chief of Schools and Strategic Initiatives,” Grissom said. “Leander ISD is home to amazing students, staff, and families, and I am excited to continue serving our community by supporting each of our schools to empower every student to pursue their dreams.”
A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Grissom received her bachelor’s degree in Applied Learning and Development. She later earned a master’s and doctorate degree in Educational Administration from Texas State University and Concordia University, respectively.
