News for North Texas
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Plano ISD Superintendent Resigns Due To 'Differing Leadership Philosophies'

Plano ISD/Facebook
Brian Binggeli has been Plano ISD superintendent since 2015.

The superintendent of the Plano school district has resigned – and school officials remain tight-lipped about his sudden departure.

Superintendent Brian Binggeli is leaving after just two years as leader of one of the largest school districts in North Texas.

In a statement, Plano ISD cited "differing leadership philosophies" as the reason for Binggeli’s resignation.

The school district and Binggeli agreed it was in Plano ISD's best interest for Binggeli to resign immediately. His contract wasn't up until June 2019.

The school board voted Tuesday night to accept the resignation. The district will pay Binggeli more than $307,000 – equal to nine months’ salary and benefits.

At the meeting, Binggeli thanked the school board, district employees and residents. He would not answer questions from reporters. Before joining the Plano school district in 2015, Binggeli was superintendent of Brevard Public Schools in Florida.

The Plano school board on Tuesday appointed Sara Bonser as interim superintendent – she’s been interim deputy superintendent since May.

Meanwhile, Plano school board member Greg Myer submitted his resignation last week, citing personal reasons. Myers was elected to the board just this year.

School district officials say his departure and the resignation of Binggeli are not related.

A district spokesperson said board president Missy Bender will appoint a subcommittee to oversee the application process and timeline. The school board is expected to approve that at its December 12 meeting. The board will then begin accepting applications from community members. After reviewing the application, the board will appoint someone to serve until the next school board election in May 2019. The newly elected person would then fill the remaining two years of that seat's four-year term.

Video: Watch the Plano school board meeting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUrknVOHOUs

This story has been updated.

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.