Harlingen school board names Veronica Kortan finalist for super’s job

Dr. Veronica Kortan

HARLINGEN — While guiding the district through its deepest crisis in decades, Deputy Superintendent Veronica Kortan stands as the school board’s finalist for the top administrative position.

After a three-week internal search, board members named Kortan the finalist for the superintendent’s job as she leads officials in rebuilding the district’s finances.

Now, the school board’s waiting through a state-mandated 30-day period before she can take office.

In the last two years, board members have twice turned to Kortan to lead the district following two superintendents’ departures.

“She’s a proven leader with a heart for our community, and most importantly, a heart for kids,” board President Greg Powers said during a special meeting Tuesday. “This board appreciates that she stepped up when the district needed her and has remained committed to moving us forward. She knows the school community and has demonstrated that she can get the job done.”

Last month, the school board launched an internal search for its next superintendent, arguing top management officials were better qualified to develop a plan aimed at returning the district’s strong financial standing amid “challenging times,” Powers said.

While working with top officials to rebuild the district’s finances, Kortan was the likely candidate for the superintendent’s post.

After taking a teacher’s job with the district in 2001, Kortan worked her way to a principal’s post before taking a director’s position that led her to serve as assistant superintendent.

“I am humbled to be named the lone finalist for the superintendent of schools for Harlingen CISD, a district and community that means so much to me. This is my hometown and the community that built and nurtured me,” she said after the board’s announcement.

“I take on this role guided by my heart for people and a continued commitment to excellence,” she said. “Our greatest responsibility as educators is to make sure we do our very best to position our students to succeed.”

Deputy Superintendent Veronica Kortan is seen during a special meeting Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (Courtesy photo)

Her parents helped instill her love for education, she said.

“This role is so personal to me. My father overcame every obstacle that was stacked against him because he pursued an education. Education changed his life and enabled mine,” she said. “As a young child, I watched my mother pursue an undergraduate and graduate degree. She had three young children, a full-time job and my parents committed to her continuing her education. I saw first-hand how education changes lives.”

After former Superintendent Alicia Noyola announced her retirement in 2023, Kortan took over as interim superintendent, working through the board’s passage of a new budget.

“Sitting in the role of interim superintendent of schools now for a second time, I realized the potential to impact kids just like my mom, just like my dad and just like my own children,” Kortan said. “I am excited for how the next chapter of our story will read as we come together and put kids first. Thank you to the board for their confidence in me.”

Last September, board members appointed Kortan interim superintendent following former Superintendent J.A. Gonzalez’s sudden resignation after trustees found out his administration used $23.2 million in cash reserves to cover operational costs including unbudgeted expenses.

Since then, Kortan’s taken on her biggest challenge, tasked with developing and carrying out the district’s new fiscal plan.

Leading a team of top officials, she’s worked to cut at least $7.2 million in expenditures while rebuilding the budget’s fund balance from about $17.2 million to $20.7 million in unassigned reserves as of Dec. 31.

For years, Kortan’s served as a top district administrator.

In 2007, she founded Harlingen’s Early College High School.

In 2023, Kortan developed the district’s new strategic plan.

With an educator certification to serve as superintendent, she holds a doctorate in educational leadership along with master’s and bachelor’s of science in education.

The post Harlingen school board names Veronica Kortan finalist for super’s job appeared first on MyRGV.com.