Mansfield ISD Superintendent Dr. Kimberley Cantu will be taking several weeks of medical leave after her doctor recommended she urgently proceed with a necessary surgery. 

To take over in her absence, the MISD School Board approved at a called meeting on Monday to contract with Dr. Deborah Cron to serve as acting superintendent.

Dr. Cron is a lifelong educator who retired after serving for 10 years as superintendent in Weatherford ISD. Since her retirement, she has served as interim superintendent in Garland ISD and Duncanville ISD. She has also held positions as the president of Texas Association of Suburban and Mid-Urban Schools, chair of the Texas Association of School Administrators Leadership Center Board and member of the Commission of Education’s Cabinet.

“We have every confidence in Dr. Cron’s ability to lead MISD for the next few weeks,” said Board President Karen Marcucci. “We look forward to Dr. Cantu’s return to her role as superintendent as soon as she recovers.”

Dr. Cron will assume the position of acting superintendent on Tuesday, Aug. 18. Dr. Cantu’s recovery time could take up to six weeks, but she is hopeful to resume working before that time and support the district in any way she can.