Here's why an Austin-area school district is searching for a new superintendent.

The Del Valle school district has launched a search for a new superintendent after Annette Tielle announced in February that she is retiring this year.

The district hired search firm O'Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo PC to find candidates to fill the top administrative position for the 11,300-student district, which covers a swath of East Austin and southeastern Travis County.

The district is spending up to $40,000 on the search.

Tielle stepped down in April after serving as superintendent since 2020 but plans to remain in an emeritus position with the district through December.

In April, the Del Valle school board appointed Jonathan Harris as acting superintendent. Harris is the district's chief compliance, governmental and community relations officer and executive director of curriculum and instruction.

The Del Valle district is searching for its new leader as it rolls out a $300 million bond project, which will fund construction of a second high school and new career and technical programs. About 92.5% of Del Valle students are considered economically disadvantaged, according to Texas Education Agency data.

Candidates may apply for the superintendent job until Aug. 21. District officials hope to approve a superintendent by Oct. 15. In Texas, school boards must wait 21 days between announcing a finalist and hiring the person.

The district plans to host town halls and focus groups and offer surveys as well as other feedback measures for the community to weigh in on the search, according to a district spokesman.