Grand Prairie ISD appointed Dr. Gabriel Trujillo as the new superintendent.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — Grand Prairie ISD officially has a new superintendent.
On Tuesday, the GPISD Board of Trustees voted to approve Dr. Gabriel Trujillo’s contract as the new Superintendent of Schools.
The board announced Dr. Trujillo as the lone finalist for the position earlier this month.
Trujillo has 30 years of experience in public education, according to a previous board announcement, including seven years in Gr and Prairie ISD. During his GPISD tenure, he served as the Director of Secondary Education, Chief of Schools and Area Superintendent. Trujillo has served as the superintendent of Nagadoches ISD for the last five years.
Trujillo’s tenure starts in the wake of a controversy that resulted in the departure of Grand Prairie ISD’s last superintendent, Dr. Jorge Arredondo.
Arredondo was named the lone finalist for GPISD superintendent on May 28, 2024, and was on the district’s payroll since July 8. Just months into the job, the Board of Trustees placed Arredondo on paid leave in September amid an investigation into an alleged policy violation. After being placed on leave, Arredondo sued the district, alleging the board of trustees didn’t have good cause to terminate his contract. It’s unclear where that stands now.
The lack of transparency surrounding the investigation was a point of contention with many GPISD parents, who protested the board’s attempts to oust Arredondo. The board and Arredondo agreed to a voluntary separation agreement on Feb. 4. As part of that agreement, the investigation’s findings are to remain sealed.
