After a search that spanned several weeks, the Hays CISD board of trustees officially named an interim leader for the district.

On Wednesday, board trustees voted to hire Dr. Ann Dixon as Hays CISD’s interim superintendent during a special called board meeting, according to a district statement.

Dixon will hold the position until Hays CISD names a permanent successor, which is likely to take place in January 2018, according to the statement. Her tenure as interim superintendent will begin next week.

Hays CISD opened its search for an interim superintendent after Michael McKie resigned at the end of the 2017 school year in June. Hays CISD has hired the Thompson & Horton firm to assist with a nationwide search for a permanent superintendent.

“I am excited to have Dr. Dixon join our Hays CISD family, even if it is for a brief period of time. Her talent and experience will be tremendous assets during our period of transition,” Merideth Keller, Hays CISD school board president said in a statement.

Dixon, whose career spans more than 40 years and includes teaching and school leadership positions, has most recently worked as interim superintendent in 16 other school districts in Texas.

According to the release, Dixon began her career in education as a speech pathologist in Austin. She worked at Copperas Cove and North East ISDs before moving to Judson ISD, where she spent 18 years.

Dixon then worked as the Somerset ISD superintendent in the 1990s.

Along with working in school districts, Dixon has worked with the Texas Comptroller’s Office and the Texas Legislative Budget Board (LBB). She also served as a mentor for many first time superintendents, according to the release.

Dixon was also recognized with a resolution of commendation during the 76th Texas Legislature.

According to the release, Dixon has also been published in the Texas Study Research Journal and the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association Journal “numerous times.” She is described as an “expert witness in education litigation” and consults with school districts that are conducting superintendent searches.

Dixon holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Administration from Walden University, a Master of Arts in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Pathology from Oklahoma State University.