The Central ISD Board of Trustees named Justin Risner the lone finalist for superintendent of schools during its regular meeting Thursday evening.  “I’m honored for the opportunity,” Risner said. “I’m very excited for what the future holds, and I’m proud to be a part of this community and this school.”Risner is the assistant superintendent of curriculum/special programs director. He has worked at Central ISD for 15 years and for Hudson ISD for two years.“The Central ISD board is very excited to select Mr. Justin Risner as the lone finalist for superintendent position at Central ISD,” board president Brant Lee said. “Mr. Risner brings 15 years of educational experience at Central ISD and is extremely qualified for the position.”

Lee said Risner has sat in all of the chairs of education, from classroom teacher, high school principal, curriculum director and currently as assistant superintendent.

“He knows the whole picture of the education process, from pre-K to high school, and knows what good instruction looks like in the classroom,” Lee said. “It’s now time for him to get to execute the vision he sees going forward because he has his own vision.”

Risner has a bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate in agricultural development as well as a master’s of education and superintendent certificate. He is married to Amanda Risener, who works at CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial Hospital as an RN, and they have a 7-year-old son named Kade who will be starting second grade at Central Elementary School this year.

Risner’s goal for this next year is to pick up where they left off, he said.

“We’ve had a lot of success in academics and UIL and sports,” he said. “We have fabulous teachers and a lot of retention with teachers coming back this year. I’m excited to pick up where we left off, come back full of energy and ready to start the year.

“There will be some changes, obviously, with new personnel, but as long as the teachers are loving our kids, building those positive relationships, showing every person’s valued and providing a safe environment, I don’t think that we’ll take any steps back.”

The board voted 6 to 1 with Brant Lee, Tim Sprinkle, Bud Boles, Same Morehouse, Jeff Cordova and Paula Bailey in favor and Kevin Dickinson against.

State law requires a 21-day waiting period before Risner can officially take the position. The board will make its final vote in a public meeting on July 8.