Seguin ISD superintendent: 'There's a lot of work to be done'

Dr. Matthew Gutierrez has five-year vision for district

SEGUIN, TexasThe Seguin Independent School District will start its new school year with a new superintendent.

Dr. Matthew Gutierrez began work on Aug. 1, filling the void left after the resignation of the district's previous, controversial superintendent.

There are more ideas than objects in Gutierrez's office.

Reporter Debrief: Seguin ISD begins new school year with new superintendent

"My priority's not really decorating the office," he said. "There's a lot of work to be done."

He outlined some of his goals in a 90-day entry plan.

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"I believe, and I hope that people see that too, that within that 90-day plan, that everything is about students and everything is about building relationships," Gutierrez said.

A lot of the plan includes meeting with what he calls "key leaders." He said he wants to create a dozens-strong strategic planning committee to make a five-year vision for the district.

"All decisions we make as a leadership team, as a school board, are all centered (on) that strategic plan, but prior to doing that, you've got to lay that foundation," Gutierrez said.

This is Gutierrez's first official superintendent post, although he has served as an assistant, deputy and even interim superintendent.

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"He was able to turn that district around, and it was similar to us, so I figure if he did it there, he can do it here," Seguin ISD trustee Ben Amador said.

The tenure of his predecessor, Stetson Roane, included the purchase of a more than $1 million video scoreboard, a failed plan to take over a local radio station and newspaper, and his resignation after a district employee filed a sexual harassment complaint.

But Gutierrez said previous controversy won't affect how he helms the district.

"We're going to move forward," Gutierrez said. "We're not going to look back. We're only going to look toward excellence."

School is back in session on Aug. 28 in Seguin.

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About the Author:

Garrett Brnger is a reporter with KSAT 12.