If Dallas schools superintendent Hinojosa signals run for mayor, his exit would come sooner

A move to run for elected office would mean an early resignation for Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa, according to a separation agreement between the schools chief and trustees. The unusual clause would be triggered if Hinojosa announces his candidacy or names a campaign treasurer, a move that’s required of all candidates seeking any Texas public office. His decision to step down after the end of this school year sparked speculation that he plans to challenge Mayor Eric Johnson, who will be up for reelection in 2023. Hinojosa said Wednesday that the earliest he would make a decision is November. Right now, he said he is focused on leading the district and finishing out the semester. “I haven’t made any decision about whether I’m going to run for office,” he said. The clause in the agreement is “just a protection for everybody, in case I decide to do it.”

The voluntary resignation agreement – provided to The Dallas Morning News – lays out the conditions for Hinojosa’s transition out of the district that he’s led on-and-off for more than a decade. Hinojosa will remain employed with the district through Dec. 31, according to the agreement. When the trustees hire a new superintendent – which they expect to do in early June – Hinojosa would be reassigned to the position of “superintendent emeritis.” In that role, he would help with the leadership transition and serve as an advisor to the new district leader and to the board. School board president Ben Mackey said Hinojosa’s political aspirations weren’t a major focus when hammering out the agreement. But trustees didn’t want to get caught in “any perception of any sort of conflicts,” he added.