A longtime Hays CISD educator and administrator has been tabbed to lead the pack at Lehman High.
On Monday, Hays CISD Board of Trustees approved hiring Karen Zuniga, current principal at Science Hall Elementary, as the next Lehman High principal, according to a press release. Zuniga will fill the role left by Denisha Presley, who was hired to lead San Marcos High in May.
The hire comes after the district in early June received feedback from parents and stakeholders on what traits they wanted to see in the next Lehman High principal.
Eric Wright, Hays CISD superintendent, said some key factors teachers and parents wanted to see in the next Lehman principal was someone who had grown their leadership skills within the district and someone who values customer service and communications.
Wright said Zuniga “knows our community” and has proven success in the district.
“She has both secondary and elementary school experience and most recently took a school from ‘improvement required’ status to a ‘B’ letter grade for two years in a row. She is goal and systems driven and will be an outstanding leader for Lehman,” Wright said.
Zuniga began her education career as a teacher at Hemphill Elementary in 2002. Zuniga also taught at Tobias Elementary and Chapa Middle School before becoming an instructional strategist. In 2013, she was named the assistant principal at Chapa Middle School.
In 2017, Zuniga served as the Hays CISD Summer School principal before being named principal of Science Hall Elementary School. Zuniga was tapped for the top leadership role at Science Hall to turn the school around from one that was not meeting state standards, which she did in a single year.
“Karen is not only a seasoned educator, she is also deeply committed to the communities and children in our district,” Tim Savoy, Hays CISD chief communication officer, said. “She is an active volunteer with a 30-year record of service at a variety of local organizations that benefit children.”
Zuniga earned a Bachelor of Education with a specialization in Special Education from Texas State University. She also holds two master’s degrees, one in curriculum and instruction from Texas State University and another in educational leadership and administration from Lamar University.
Among her many awards and achievements, Zuniga has been named the Chapa Middle School Teacher of the Year and an H-E-B Excellence in Education Award semifinalist in the teacher leadership category.
HCISD hires next Carpenter Hill principal
Meanwhile, trustees Monday approved the hire of Ginger Bordeau as the next principal at Carpenter Hill Elementary in Buda.
Bordeau, who has more than 25 years of experience in education, currently serves as an assistant principal at Buda Elementary. Bordeau has been a Hays CISD employee since 2002.
“She has been a part of our Hays CISD family for a long time and has a strong instructional background as a teacher, an instructional coach and a campus leader,” said Wright. “One of her strengths is the ability to forge solid relationships with students, teachers, parents and staff.”
Bordeau earned her Bachelor of Education from the University of Mississippi. She earned her master’s degree in education from the University of Texas Permian Basin.
Earlier this year, Bordeau was named assistant principal of the year by the Texas Elementary and Principals Supervisor Association (TEPSA).
