Eanes ISD Welcomes a New Superintendent: What to Know About the Leadership Transition
Eanes ISD has entered a new chapter of leadership. On January 1, 2026, Kirk Koennecke began serving as the district’s new Superintendent of Schools, following a months-long search process and a transitional period led by an interim superintendent.
If you are a parent, homeowner, or neighbor in the Eanes community which is located in Westlake in Austin Texas, this is one of those changes that can shape priorities, culture, and district momentum over time. Here is a clear, community-friendly rundown of what happened, who is stepping in, and what it may mean for Eanes going forward.
- Who is the new Eanes ISD superintendent?
Kirk Koennecke was unanimously selected by the Eanes ISD Board of Trustees and named superintendent on December 9, 2025. He stepped into the role on January 1, 2026.
Koennecke comes to Eanes with extensive public education leadership experience, including a decade as a superintendent and a career spanning multiple roles in schools and district administration. Eanes ISD has shared that he brings both operational experience and a track record of leading long-term planning work.
One notable credential: Koennecke was named the National Association of School Superintendents (NASS) National Superintendent of the Year in 2023.
- How the superintendent selection process worked
Eanes ISD followed the standard Texas process, which includes a required waiting period after naming a lone finalist.
On November 18, 2025, the board announced Koennecke as the lone finalist for the superintendent role. Texas law requires a 21-day waiting period after naming a finalist before a board can finalize a contract. On December 9, 2025, the board voted to officially name him superintendent. Koennecke began serving in the role on January 1, 2026.
- What happened to the previous superintendent?
The previous superintendent, Dr. Jeff Arnett, retired effective July 31, 2025 after serving three years as superintendent and nine years total in Eanes ISD.
Arnett shared that he felt it was the right time for fresh ideas and new energy in the district and planned to return to work connected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, where he had previously worked.
- Who led Eanes ISD during the transition?
After Arnett’s retirement, Eanes ISD appointed Dr. Tom Trigg as interim superintendent, approved on July 24, 2025, to help guide the district while the board completed the national search. Koennecke succeeded Trigg once the permanent superintendent began.
- What this leadership change could mean for Eanes ISD families
Every superintendent brings a slightly different leadership style, and early months typically focus on listening, learning, and aligning priorities with the board and community.
A big theme around Koennecke’s entry has been relationship-building and planning as he gets to know campuses and community expectations.
Here are a few practical things families often watch during superintendent transitions:
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Communication style: clarity, frequency, and transparency in updates
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Academic priorities: what gets emphasized, expanded, or protected
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Budget leadership: how district leadership frames trade-offs and long-term planning
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Culture and trust: how well leadership connects with staff, parents, and students
Eanes has a strong reputation for academics and community engagement, so this next phase is less about reinvention and more about how leadership supports excellence while navigating real-world constraints.
Quick recap timeline
June 16, 2025: Arnett announces retirement
July 24, 2025: Tom Trigg approved as interim superintendent
July 31, 2025: Arnett retires
November 18, 2025: Koennecke named lone finalist
December 9, 2025: Koennecke named superintendent
January 1, 2026: Koennecke begins serving
Closing thought
Eanes ISD is one of the most watched districts in Central Texas for good reason, and leadership changes tend to spark questions.
Jenny has raised her kids in the Westlake Schools, please reach out if you have questions about the schools and area. If she can't answer your questions then she can direct you to the right place. 512-653-3398
