Natalia ISD’s new Interim Superintendent is Dr. Lana Collavo, who served Jourdanton ISD for 11 years.
Dr. Lana Collavo is taking over the reins as Interim Superintendent of Natalia ISD for the majority of the 2020-2021 school year after Dr. Alexandro Flores resigned to take a position with Trinity University.
The unanimous hire came during the School Board meeting held Monday, April 13.
“Dr. Lana Collavo has been a proven leader throughout her career,” Board President Eric Smith said. “She had a number of great accomplishments during her most recent Superintendent position, where she led a strong academic and athletic district in Jourdanton ISD for eleven years.”
Collavo has nearly 40 years total in public education and served as Superintendent of JISD from 2005 to 2015.
“I want to thank the Natalia ISD Board of Trustees for the opportunity to serve the district as the Interim Superintendent,” Collavo said. “Natalia ISD has a lot of good things happening for students and I look forward to working with staff, students, and the community as we continue to manage the district through COVID-19 and prepare for a smooth transition to a traditional schedule.”
According to Smith, the goal is for Collavo to join Flores for a transition period beginning Thursday, April 16. Flores’s last day in the district is scheduled for Friday, April 24.
“With over forty years in education, we are confident Dr. Collavo will lead this district forward, allowing us time to find the perfect permanent leader for our district,” Smith said.
The Board also voted unanimously not to begin the search for the next full-time Superintendent until January 2021 after discussing the matter in closed session.
Smith said the Board considered issues such as COVID-19 and times when Superintendents are seeking new positions when choosing to
“We feel that we need some stability at this time with quick transitions with interims,” Smith said, adding that a thorough Superintendent search takes around three months, which would mean bringing in another new face for the position in September or October, after administration and staff had spent months preparing for the new school year with Collavo.
“Obviously we would love to have a Superintendent before school started, but we don’t believe that’s going to be feasible right now due to the current COVID situation,” Smith said. “And we would rather have a good search than a rushed search.”
Flores leaves the district just over a month into his second stint as Interim Superintendent.
“I can only say outstanding things about the Board of Trustees, about the faculty and staff, and about the Natalia community in general,” Flores said. “I’ve always had an affinity and soft spot for this community since my first go-round back in 2013, and I can honestly tell you, it was just a sheer pleasure to see familiar faces back again, and to see the district moving forward.”
Flores said he began the interview process at Trinity prior to returning to Natalia, and that the university opportunity was one that he and his family couldn’t pass up.
“I have full confidence that the Board and that the team will continue to forge on forward,” Flores said. “I think you’ll be in great hands as you continue on with the transition over to a more permanent situation.”
Flores served as Interim Superintendent in Natalia in 2014-2015, following his role as Assistant Superintendent from 2013 to 2015.
By Marly Davis
Staff Writer