Ebell steps down as superintendent spot

Steven Ebell's three-year stay as superintendent of the Gonzales Independent School District will come to an end on June 15.

The superintendent announced his resignation to all GISD staff members Thursday and informed them that he had accepted a position with the Eanes Consolidated Independent School District near Austin.

Ebell will become the assistant superintendent for human resources for the district that includes Class 5-A football power West Lake High School.

The move will be a homecoming of sorts for Ebell who grew up in the Austin area and got his BA degree from the University of Texas.

"I want to emphasize to you that I have thoroughly enjoyed working in GISD," Ebell said in the letter mailed out to all employees last week. "During my time here we have made dramatic improvements in all areas of district operations."

Ebell said that he did not go in search of the job. "Eanes came to me and talked to me about the job," Ebell said. "My wife and I talked it over for a long time before we made the decision to take it."

Ebell said he is committed to completing the current school year. "Gonzales ISD has been very good to me," Ebell said. "I plan to complete the work that I began three years ago and a very positive note."

Ebell replaced Katy Herbold as superintendent of GISD in May of 2004. He had been an assistant superintendent in the Hays Consolidate District before coming to Gonzales from 2001 to 2004.

"The length of time superintendents usually stay in a district these days is three years," he added.

Josie Smith-Wright, GISD board president, said she hated to see Ebell leave.

"Dr. Ebell has been good for us," she said. "He has emphasized that all students matter. We plan to build on the improvements we have made over the past few years. We will begin the superintendent search process in March. Dr. Ebell will be missed."