The Ector County Independent School District (ECISD) has announced the re-election of Superintendent Dr. Eric Muri as vice-chairman of the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). The SBEC, tasked with overseeing every aspect of public school educators' preparation, certification, and standards of conduct, first welcomed Muri in March 2022 following his appointment by Governor Greg Abbott. Subsequently, the Permian Basin superintendent was reappointed to a six-year term.
Muri stated that his re-election validates the work his district has performed. "These areas," said Muri, "are human capital, elevating the teaching profession, and operating Odessa Pathway to Teaching, ECISD’s own educator preparation program."
According to the press release, the Texas Legislature established the SBEC in 1995 with a view to recognizing public school educators as professionals and granting them the right to govern their profession's standards. Comprising 15 members, 11 of whom are voting members appointed by the governor for six-year terms, the SBEC currently includes another member from the Permian Basin: Dr. Robert Brescia, a teacher at Permian High School in Odessa.
Per information on ECISD’s Meet the Superintendent page, Muri has been leading the district since July 1, 2019. Prior to this role, he served as leader of Houston area’s Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD) for four years. The release also noted that Muri has professional experience in Georgia and North Carolina.