Thursday, April 9, 2026
ANGLETON, TX — The Angleton ISD Board of Trustees is proud to announce the selection of Dr. Alicia Press as the lone finalist for the position of Superintendent of Schools. Following a comprehensive search conducted by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), the Board identified Dr. Press as a leader who balances the strategic expertise needed for district growth with a deep commitment to the values and traditions of the Angleton community.
“The process to name our new superintendent was very thorough, and we utilized data from our community through the public survey responses as well as our public meetings to hone in on the qualifications and characteristics that AISD needed and desired in its next leader,” AISD Board Vice President Kimi Hunter said. “We had a very competitive pool of candidates for the superintendent position and reviewed 37 applicants to narrow our selection to seven interview candidates and then, eventually, three finalists, whom we interviewed again. We are pleased with our final choice of Dr. Press because we believe she is the best educational leader to help Angleton ISD grow and continue to find success.”
Dr. Press currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Leadership and Talent Development for AISD. With more than 20 years of experience in public education in both AISD and Ector County ISD, her career is defined by her ability to manage complex district operations while maintaining a relentless focus on student outcomes.
Since joining AISD in 2021, Dr. Press has embraced the Wildcat culture, which is grounded on strong academic excellence, and she has delivered immediate and measurable results. Under her leadership, AISD has embraced innovation and national recognition. She directly led the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA), which recently saw 90 AISD teachers qualify for designations in its first year of submission, resulting in additional pay for approximately 40 percent of AISD’s teaching staff. This is almost nine percent above the state average with TIA funding. Additionally, as part of the AISD leadership team, Dr. Press was influential in the district being named twice as a Capturing Kids’ Hearts (CKH) National Showcase District and was a finalist for the H-E-B Excellence in Education Small District of the Year in both 2024 and 2026.
Initially hired in AISD as the Student Achievement Coordinator, she was critical in working alongside campus leadership for school improvement at Angleton Junior High and Southside Elementary. The results were transformative:
Angleton Junior High rose from a 74 (C) with zero distinctions to an 86 (B) with four state distinctions.
Southside Elementary advanced from a 68 (D) to a 92 (A), earning all six possible state distinctions.
A key factor in the Board’s decision was Dr. Press’s experience in larger district management, especially considering the continued growth in AISD. Prior to joining AISD, she spent 14 years in Ector County ISD, a district of over 34,000 students and 3,700 staff members. During her tenure there as a teacher, principal, and Executive Director of Leadership, she successfully navigated the complexities of a rapidly growing student population.
Her leadership in Ector County involved:
Fiscal Stewardship: Overseeing multi-million dollar budgets and participating in multiple bond and Tax Rate Election (TRE) initiatives to support competitive staff salaries and district infrastructure. She also implemented key efficiency measures, such as zero-based budgeting, to ensure the strategic alignment of resources with district goals. Additionally, she used financial resources wisely to enhance student academic improvement.
Staffing Solutions: Implementing strategic staffing models such as the district’s Opportunity Culture initiative to effectively manage teacher vacancies during periods of high demand.
Dr. Press earned her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Texas Tech University. She is also a current member of the Holdsworth Superintendent Accelerator program, a leadership initiative for Texas educators committed to driving systemic excellence in public schools. She is one of only 20 educators in the state of Texas to be selected into the prestigious program.
In accordance with Texas state law, a 21-day waiting period is required before the Board of Trustees can officially vote to hire a superintendent. The Angleton ISD Board is expected to take formal action on the appointment following the conclusion of this required period.