Spring ISD Superintendent Lupita Hinojosa announced her resignation Tuesday after just over three years in the position, leaving the school board less than three months to find a successor.
The first Hispanic woman to lead the majority Hispanic district, Hinojosa led Spring through a tumultuous Covid-19 recovery marked by financial challenges. Last month, the district announced that it would be closing an unknown number of schools ahead of the 2026-2027 school year.
Making the announcement in a nearly empty board room at the end of closed session, Hinojosa told trustees that she would be retiring and leaving her position effective June 30. The board voted 6-0 to draw up a voluntary resignation agreement.
Hinojosa was initially hired in January 2022 after spending eight years in top administrative roles. Over her tenure, her administration spearheaded initiatives including a new Pre-K 3 pilot program, universal Pre-K for four-year-olds, and an effort to decrease disciplinary infractions in the district.
Since taking the superintendent role in 2022, Hinojosa also worked to install the district’s first mariachi program, a personal goal she said stemmed in part from her own childhood as a daughter of Mexican immigrants, listening to mariachi music on the radio.
“Your dedication to all the students in Spring ISD has been amazing,” trustee Deborah Jensen said Tuesday. “Whenever we go to an event with you, there are so many parents and students who come up and you know them.”
But despite the district’s larger goals, Spring leaders have also had to make cuts in the face of enrollment losses, no significant increase in state funding and a $13 million projected budget deficit. Last month, the district kicked off a series of community meetings to inform parents and gather feedback about potential school closures.
In November, the district asked residents to raise school property taxes to create a softer financial cushion. Voters overwhelmingly shot down the proposal even as similar tax raises in other school districts passed with minimal opposition.
At the time, Hinojosa said her administration needed to work harder to spotlight the positive developments happening in the district.
District leaders were not immediately available for comment. In an interview with the Houston Landing in March, Hinojosa looked back on her leadership approach as a balance of practicality and care in an ever-diversifying district.
“It’s about representation of all students and being a female leader that has the ability to make decisions not only with my head, but also with my heart,” Hinojosa said. “It’s about making sure that all decisions are made in the best interest of all students. Not just Hispanic, not just white, not just Black, not just Asian, but all students.”
Board president Justine Durant could not be immediately reached for comment but thanked Hinojosa for her service and vision in Tuesday’s meeting.
“We really appreciate your hard work, your commitment to our students, and the time and the tenure that you have been here,” Durant said.
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