By Edmond Ortiz
Anthony Jarrett, chief instructional officer at the North East Independent School District, will be taking over as interim superintendent just as the current superintendent winds down his career.
What you should know
The school board voted unanimously Dec. 8 to appoint Jarrett interim superintendent. He will replace Sean Maika, who announced on Nov. 17 that he would retire in January 2026.
Maika has spent the past six years of his 30-year career in education as North East ISD’s top appointed leader.
School board members held an executive session discussion prior to voting to formally accept Maika’s resignation and to appoint Jarrett as his replacement.
According to the trustees’ motion, Maika’s final workday with NEISD will be Jan. 12, but his resignation will not officially become effective until March 31.
Jarrett will stay in his current position until Jan. 13. He has 25-plus years of experience in public education, including six years with NEISD.
What they are saying
Jarrett will take the reins of a school district that will implement four of five bond proposals recently passed by NEISD voters.
North East, like many other Texas school districts, is also wrestling with fiscal budget challenges, a situation that prompted NEISD officials to close Wilshire and Clear Springs elementary schools and Driscoll Middle School this year in a cost-saving measure.
“Mr. Jarrett and I have worked closely over the past six years. I have no doubt our district is being left in good hands with him at the helm,” Maika said in a statement.
Board President David Beyer congratulated Jarrett from the dais.
“Thank you for the conversations and thank you for looking at continuing the good things that are going on here,” Beyer said.
Jarrett said he is excited about his next professional challenge.
“I’m thrilled to build on the great work we’ve been doing and to explore new learning opportunities for all our students,” Jarrett said in a statement. “I’m eager to collaborate with our amazing staff and families to ensure we provide the best education possible.”
Although Maika has one more regular school board meeting left to attend as superintendent, trustees praised him from the dais at the Dec. 8 meeting.
“I think we’ve all appreciated your candor, guidance and recommendations over the years,” school board President David Beyer said.
Trustee Tracie Shelton did not attend the board meeting, but she left a message for Maika to be read to the public.
“Thank you for your leadership, counsel and commitment to our community’s students, faculty and parents. Thank you for pushing boundaries and for leaning into innovation,” Shelton had stated.
Board Vice President Terri Chidgey lauded Maika for guiding NEISD, one of Texas’ biggest school districts, where more than 57,000 students are served.
“Our district is bigger than some cities and small towns. You have navigated some difficult waters,” Chidgey told Maika. “We have closed three schools. That was very, very difficult and you navigated that so well.”
Maika said he appreciated board members’ sentiments, adding that his decision to retire was not taken lightly.
While Maika had posted a farewell letter on the NEISD website, he told the crowd at the Dec. 8 meeting that his reason for resigning was not a complex one.
“My family and I have always put my career first, but it’s time to put my family first and it’s just that simple.”
