Prosper ISD's Board of Trustees has moved to second-round interviews in its search for a permanent superintendent, advancing a process that began after former Superintendent Holly Ferguson announced her retirement in March.

The district confirmed the milestone in its Sept. 22 newsletter, stating that the board is conducting second-round interviews with candidates. The district has not publicly identified any candidates or said how many remain in the running.

The update caps a rapid three-week progression. A Sept. 1 district newsletter said the board was reviewing supplemental applications from selected candidates. By the Sept. 15 edition, first-round interviews were complete. Prosper ISD said on X on Sept. 16 that the search was "moving forward on schedule."

Impact Education Specialists, the search firm hired to lead the process, laid out a timeline at a June 17 board work session. The firm projected interviews in September and October, with a hire by year's end. The new superintendent is expected to start during the fall semester, giving the hire time to learn the district before planning for the 2027–28 school year begins in the spring.

Doug Williams, a partner at Impact Education, told the board at that June session that the goal was finding the right fit for Prosper ISD specifically. He said the firm would not simply chase the best superintendent in the abstract, but rather the best one for this district specifically, as reported by Community Impact Newspaper.

Ferguson served as superintendent for six of her 23 years in the district. Bill McLaughlin, who had been deputy superintendent, was named acting superintendent in May 2026 to lead the district during the transition. McLaughlin has 33 years of experience in public education and four years at Prosper ISD, where he also served as executive director of human resources and chief of school leadership and innovation. He was named Region 10 Principal of the Year.

Board President Kelly Cavender said in the May 2026 announcement that McLaughlin had the experience and dedication needed to ensure a seamless transition for students, staff and community. 

Prosper ISD serves more than 34,000 students across 32 campuses in Collin and Denton counties. The next Board of Trustees meeting is Monday, Sept. 28.