By Megan Wehring
Hays CISD will soon receive a new leader for the district's Curriculum & Instruction Department.
The Hays CISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved hiring Marivel Sedillo, the district's chief human resources officer, as the new chief academic officer. Sedillo will be replacing Sandra Dowdy for the position.
“I am excited that Marivel has accepted the challenge of leading our Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) Department," said Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright, "Her skill and experience in this area, combined with her knowledge of our district, our personnel, and our students will make the transition smooth. And, she is poised to build on a solid foundation that is in place because of the work of Mrs. Dowdy and our C&I team."
Prior to returning to Hays CISD in 2019, Sedillo served as an area executive director in Pflugerville ISD. She also worked in Manor ISD in an executive leadership position overseeing human resources and federal programs.
She served as the first principal of Hays CISD’s Camino Real Elementary School from 2007 to 2014. In 2006, she was the director of secondary staffing for Round Rock ISD. From 2001 to 2006, she served as Hays CISD’s director of human resources. She was previously an assistant principal, educational diagnostician and a bilingual kindergarten and first grade teacher in Hays CISD. She began her career in education in 1994 as a bilingual special education teacher in Austin ISD.
“Leaders in the education field often focus on managing expectations," Sedillo said. "As a leader, I see my role to inspire others to go beyond expectations. I am honored to continue to serve Hays CISD students and teachers. This district is where I have spent the majority of my career and this district is my home.”
Sandra Dowdy will retire from education June 30, after a career in education of more than 40 years. Sedillo will officially begin her term as the district chief academic officer on July 1.
