Three School Districts Name New Superintendents as JG Consulting Leads Key Searches

In recent weeks, three school districts across the United States have named new superintendents, with specialized search firm JG Consulting playing a significant role in identifying qualified candidates for two of these positions. These leadership transitions highlight the complex process of selecting new educational leaders and demonstrate the growing trend of districts employing professional search firms to identify top talent in educational administration.

Lake Travis Names Curtis Null as Lone Finalist After Professional Search

The Lake Travis school district in Texas has selected Curtis Null as the lone finalist to serve as its next superintendent following a structured search process also conducted with assistance from JG Consulting. By Texas law, the district must observe a 21-day waiting period before Null can officially be hired, marking a distinct procedural difference from the other two appointments.

Null brings significant experience, having served as superintendent of Conroe, Texas’ seventh-largest school district with approximately 73,000 students and over 10,000 employees, since June 2018. His leadership tenure in Conroe included opening ten new schools, passing a $1.97 billion bond (the largest in Montgomery County history), and maintaining the second-lowest tax rate in the greater Houston area.

The Lake Travis superintendent search became necessary after former superintendent Paul Norton resigned in February following an investigation stemming from a December complaint. The district retained JG Consulting to assist in finding a replacement, implementing a process that gathered stakeholder input and conducted a nationwide search that attracted 38 applicants. Board President Erin Archer praised Null’s “proven track record of success and deep commitment to building strong relationships,” expressing confidence in his ability to guide the district through future challenges.

Waterbury Schools Appoint Interim Leader Amid Controversy

In Connecticut, the Waterbury Board of Education voted 8-2 to select interim School Superintendent Darren M. Schwartz over two external candidates to lead the city’s school district. This appointment follows a contentious period in district leadership and represents the culmination of a search process conducted with the assistance of JG Consulting, which the city hired in September to conduct a nationwide search for Waterbury’s next superintendent.

The selection came after significant district turmoil involving former Superintendent Verna D. Ruffin, whose contract was not renewed following disagreements between the school board and newly elected Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski Jr. This contentious transition included vetoes, override attempts, and ultimately culminated in Ruffin’s departure when her contract expired in July. The comprehensive search process that followed, facilitated by JG Consulting, included community engagement events and surveys to identify desirable superintendent qualities before the board interviewed candidates from an eligibility list of 12 applicants.

Alamogordo Public Schools Selects Michael Crabtree Following Nationwide Search

Alamogordo Public Schools in New Mexico announced Michael Crabtree as its new superintendent on Tuesday, April 22, following what the district described as a nationwide search for qualified candidates. Crabtree, who has been serving as acting superintendent since January 2024 and interim superintendent since January 2025, brings significant experience and community connections to the permanent role. His appointment marks the culmination of a leadership transition process that appears to have prioritized stability and local commitment.

Crabtree’s background includes experience as a special education teacher and coach in his native Texas before relocating to Alamogordo in 2015. After joining Alamogordo High School as head baseball coach and special education teacher, he pursued an administrator’s license and subsequently served in various leadership positions including administrator intern, elementary principal, and special education coordinator. His deep community ties, including his wife’s local business ownership and his daughters’ attendance at district schools, were highlighted as strengths in the announcement.

Board President Angela Cadwallader expressed enthusiasm about the appointment, citing Crabtree’s “wealth of experience, passion for student achievement, and deep commitment to community collaboration” as key factors in the selection. Crabtree himself emphasized his connection to the community, stating he was “honored to be selected as superintendent and to continue serving a community I care deeply about”.

The Growing Role of Professional Search Firms in Educational Leadership Selection

The involvement of JG Consulting in two of these three superintendent searches highlights the increasing professionalization of educational leadership recruitment. School districts appear to be turning to specialized firms to manage complex search processes that include community engagement, candidate recruitment, and thorough vetting procedures.

In both the Waterbury and Lake Travis cases, JG Consulting conducted nationwide searches that resulted in sizeable candidate pools, with stakeholder input incorporated into the process. This approach represents a significant investment in identifying leadership aligned with district needs and community expectations, particularly following periods of leadership turbulence as seen in both districts.

While search firms provide expertise and structure to superintendent selection processes, the final decisions ultimately rest with local school boards, as demonstrated by the divided vote in Waterbury and the unanimous selection of Null in Lake Travis. These recent appointments illustrate both the challenges of educational leadership transitions and the systematic approaches districts are employing to address them.

Professional Guidance During Critical Leadership Transitions

These three superintendent appointments reflect the diverse approaches to educational leadership transitions across the country. From appointing internal candidates with community ties to conducting extensive nationwide searches with professional assistance, school districts are navigating complex processes to secure leadership that aligns with their institutional needs and community values.

JG Consulting’s involvement in both the Waterbury and Lake Travis searches demonstrates the value many districts place on professional guidance during critical leadership transitions. As educational institutions face evolving challenges, the manner in which they select their top leadership continues to adapt, with structured search processes becoming increasingly common in districts of all sizes.