Principal Search FAQ

A note on change

Maplewood is a strong community, and this kind of transition is a normal part of school life — leadership changes happen regularly at all schools across the country. How we move through it matters as much as the change itself: staying informed, showing up, and giving honest, constructive input is exactly how we model navigating change well for our kids. This FAQ, and the meetings below, are here to support involvement.

Why is Maplewood searching for a principal now?

Renee Conley has been serving as interim principal, not a permanent one. When she was appointed, the district shared that it would appoint an official principal at a later time. Austin ISD notified the Maplewood community on Sept. 24, 2026 that this process is beginning. No permanent principal has been named yet — that's the outcome this process works toward.

A quick note for families newer to Maplewood: interim status isn't a mark against someone. Sitting interims are generally eligible to apply and are sometimes selected — see the question on that below.

What's the timeline?

By Thurs., Oct. 1, 2026 - Community survey closes (characteristics for the principal profile)

Thurs., Oct. 1, 2026 - Principal Profile Meeting — 3:30 p.m. (staff), 5:30 p.m. (families), Maplewood library

Oct. 22, 2026 - Interview committee interviews candidates and identifies finalists

Week of Nov. 2, 2026 - Superintendent notifies the Board of Trustees of the selected candidate

Week of Nov. 9, 2026 - Principal announced to parents and staff

AISD's letter corrected the interview date to Oct. 22 (an earlier draft said Oct. 21) — the table above reflects the corrected date.

How can families and staff give input?

Two ways, both due by Thursday, Oct. 1:

1. Complete the online survey (link in the district's email). Responses feed directly into the written "principal profile" — the list of characteristics the district hires against.

2. Attend the Principal Profile Meeting in the Maplewood library — 3:30 p.m. for staff, 5:30 p.m. for families.

All feedback is considered when the district finalizes the profile, though the profile isn't a vote — it's guidance the interview committee and district leadership use throughout the search.

Please RSVP for the Oct. 1 meeting (staff 3:30 p.m. / families 5:30 p.m.) so we can arrange light snacks and childcare — we want the process to be genuinely accessible, not just open in theory. RSVP to president@maplewoodelementary.com to accommodate light snack/childcare planning.

Who's on the interview committee, and who decides?

Per AISD's standard process for principal searches districtwide, the interview committee includes:

• CAC co-chair (parent)

• CAC co-chair (teacher)

• PTA President or designee (must be a parent or teacher at the school)

• A school-based member selected by the Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools

• The Executive Director, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools, and Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Academics

The committee interviews candidates and narrows the field to finalists. From there, district leadership recommends finalists to the Chief of Staff and Superintendent. The Superintendent makes the final selection and notifies the Board of Trustees — the Board does not vote on individual campus principal hires the way it does for superintendent searches.

Other questions 

Can Ms. Conley apply for the permanent role? Generally yes. AISD interim principals are typically eligible to apply, and it's common districtwide for a sitting interim to be named permanent. 

Will families get to meet the finalists before a decision is made? Campus-level principal searches keep candidate interviews and finalist deliberations internal to the committee. Families' input shapes the profile up front. This is why attendance on Oct 1 is so important. 

What is the district screening candidates against? AISD uses its Leadership Framework, organized around four competencies: instructional leader, talent developer, executive leader, and culture builder. The community survey and profile meeting feed specific, Maplewood-flavored priorities into that framework rather than replacing it.

What happens to Ms. Conley if someone else is hired? The letter doesn't say, and the district hasn't been asked publicly. If this matters to you, it's worth raising directly at the meeting on Oct 1.

Does staff or the community get a vote? No formal vote. Input is advisory — it shapes the profile and one committee seat is filled by community representatives, but the Superintendent holds the final decision.

I can’t make Oct 1, will I have other opportunities to learn more? Yes, Ms Conley is holding a Principal’s Coffee Oct 2 at 8:15. Feel free to hang out after drop-off for some community mingling and pastries before the meeting starts. 

More about how AISD runs this process

• Candidate names stay confidential during the search. AISD doesn't publish who's applied or who's been interviewed — many candidates are currently employed elsewhere and searching quietly.

• The committee's interview questions and scoring aren't made public. Community input shapes the profile up front; it doesn't extend to sitting in on interviews or seeing candidate materials.

• The Leadership Framework has four competencies the district evaluates every candidate against: instructional leader, talent developer, executive leader, and culture builder. Full detail is on AISD's Principal Selection page.

• Start date gets announced with the hire. AISD doesn't publish a standard onboarding timeline; expect that detail in the week-of-Nov.-9 announcement.

Questions or concerns?

Have a question or concern? The Oct. 1 Principal Profile Meeting is the best forum to raise it — come in person if you can. Childcare and light snacks will be provided. 

You can also reach out directly:

• Email: marlo.malott@austinisd.org

• Phone: (512) 414-1700

• PTA President: Nikki Sharon Schultz — president@maplewoodelementary.com