St. Paul's Meria Carstarphen was officially hired by the Austin, Texas, school board last night. (The board originally selected her as its new superintendent three weeks ago but had to wait to finalize the process.)

She starts there July 1 but promises to work real hard here during her last months as St. Paul's lame-duck superintendent.

Last night she issued this statement:

"This evening the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees voted to name me as the next superintendent of the Austin Independent School District effective July 1, 2009. Through the remainder of my time as Superintendent in Saint Paul, I will remain focused on our work for students and families, and I will continue to work with our dedicated staff as we close out the school year. 

"I will also work with the Board of Education to support an effective transition in leadership so that when the Board appoints the transitional leader, he or she is well positioned to keep the momentum we have created together.

"We have a strong strategic plan and dedicated staff and leaders to see it through. Changes can be challenging, but offer great opportunities for growth and optimism.  During this transition time the Senior Leadership Team, with my support, is committed to the following:
·    bringing forward Large Scale System Changes,
·    bringing recommendations for closing the budget shortfall we face and proposing a final 2009-10 budget,
·    proposing efficient and effective use of federal stimulus funding (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act),
·    assisting with the transition in leadership,
·    seeing our students through the upcoming testing season and, finally,
·    sharing in graduation celebrations.

"I will continue to dedicate my last few months in SPPS with the same commitment I have maintained during the last three years."