Overview
- Trustees voted 4–2 to appoint Jessica Palomares after interviewing two unnamed internal candidates, making her the interim leader when the current superintendent steps down.
- Palomares is a Northside alumna who began teaching in 1996 and has served in district roles from principal to assistant superintendent for elementary administration since 2021.
- The board approved outgoing Superintendent John Craft’s voluntary retirement earlier in July and directed staff to consider internal applicants for the interim post.
- Northside faces a reported $38 million budget shortfall, paused funds from a 2022 $992 million bond and potential tax-rate and bond elections this fall that the interim and new board leadership must resolve.
- Trustees plan to hire an external search firm to find a permanent superintendent by January–February 2027, a process that will shape decisions on pay, campus use and long-term district priorities.