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Grand Prairie ISD Appoints Interim Superintendent

Grand Prairie ISD
Linda Ellis, deputy superintendent of teaching and learning, has been appointed interim superintendent for Grand Prairie ISD.

The Grand Prairie Independent School District has appointed an interim superintendent following the death last week of Superintendent Susan Simpson Hull.

The interim choice is an insider: Linda Ellis, deputy superintendent of teaching and learning. Ellis previously has worked in Grand Prairie as a teacher, assistant principal, director of curriculum and assistant superintendent. In her current role, she oversees curriculum, services for students with dyslexia, special education and bilingual education.

"We believe Ms. Ellis will preserve Dr. Hull's vision while providing a continuity of leadership in all phases of the district," said GPISD Board of Trustees President Burke Hall. "We will begin working with Ms. Ellis immediately to ensure Grand Prairie ISD is ready for an exciting, productive school year as we welcome back over 29,000 students."

District officials say Ellis will serve as interim superintendent until the board finds a new leader, but there's no word yet on a timeline.

Susan Simpson Hull died last week after a motorcycle accident in Arizona. She led the district for 12 years and had worked in education for nearly four decades.

Stella M. Chávez is KERA’s immigration/demographics reporter/blogger. Her journalism roots run deep: She spent a decade and a half in newspapers – including seven years at The Dallas Morning News, where she covered education and won the Livingston Award for National Reporting, which is given annually to the best journalists across the country under age 35.