Hutto ISD superintendent resigns after seven months on the job

HUTTO, Texas - Hutto ISD superintendent Dr. Raúl Peña has resigned from his position after less than a year on the job.

The Hutto ISD Board of Trustees unanymously accepted Dr. Peña's resignation as superintendent on Thursday.

"We are thankful to Dr. Peña for his seven months of service to our district and our community," said Billie Logiudice, the board president and master trustee.

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 "I heard about it today, and I was surprised because they had such good things to say about him when he came here," said Bruce Anderson, a Hutto resident.

"Yeah, so surprised," said Johnathan Drolet, a Hutto ISD parent. "I saw the notification on the app."

Dr. Peña served as superintendent for seven months.

"When he came in, he came in with guns blazing," said Drolet. "I mean, he really seemed passionate about change, about effecting positive change in the community. He met with all of the community leaders, all of the administrators with the schools, and really made a big difference in the short time that he was here, which is why it was so shocking."

In response, Dr. Peña sent the following statement to FOX 7:

"It was concerning because I heard such good things about the person, and hopefully they get it straightened out or we learn something from what his resignation is and why he did that exactly," said Bruce Anderson.

Dr. Cara Malone (Hutto ISD)

In the interim, the Board named Dr. Cara Malone as Acting Superintendent.

Dr. Malone has been with the district since Fall 2022, when she joined as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.

She also helped start a teacher apprenticeship program earlier this year.

"We have a great leadership team in place that will continue the positive momentum as we make decisions in the best interest of the district and for our students," said Logiudice.

 When classes resume Monday, inquiries from parents about where the district goes from here and why Peña only stayed seven months will likely follow.

"I would just say it’s more questions," said Drolet. "I don’t feel like there’s any concern at the moment. I do feel like we’re in good hands."

The district added it will keep Hutto ISD families informed as it takes the next steps to hire its next superintendent.