Del Valle ISD Welcomes New Superintendent and Leadership Team
Del Valle ISD is proud to introduce the new superintendent, Dr. Matthew Gutierrez, alongside two key leadership hires: Dina Edgar as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Danica Murillo as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). These talented leaders will work together to support the district’s mission of educational excellence for nearly 12,000 students. As the district grows, exciting developments are also underway in communities like Whisper Valley, which is served by Del Valle ISD and will soon be home to the district’s second high school.
Dr. Matthew Gutierrez: A Visionary New Superintendent
Gutierrez officially assumed his role as superintendent on Oct. 12 following his unanimous appointment by the Del Valle ISD Board of Trustees. With extensive leadership experience, Gutierrez aims to guide the district on a path of continuous improvement through a transparent community engagement framework.
He has launched a 100-day entry plan, which will evolve over time to align with feedback from students, staff, and families. A key focus for Gutierrez is redesigning the district’s strategic plan to increase accountability and rigor, ensuring that Del Valle ISD continues to grow and achieve its goals.
Gutierrez previously served as Deputy Superintendent at Leander ISD and as Superintendent of Seguin ISD, where his leadership earned him the Region 20 Superintendent of the Year Award in 2023. During his tenure at Seguin, he implemented strategic initiatives that boosted academic performance and passed two bond measures to support district growth. Gutierrez holds degrees from Angelo State University, Schreiner University, and Texas Tech University.
Key Leadership Hires: CFO and CHRO
In addition to welcoming Dr. Gutierrez, Del Valle ISD recently hired two new leaders to strengthen the district’s financial and human resources operations. At the Oct. 15 board meeting, the Board of Trustees approved the appointments of Dina Edgar as CFO and Danica Murillo as CHRO.
Dina Edgar, Chief Financial Officer
Edgar brings more than 20 years of experience in school finance, having served in leadership roles across Central Texas, including Bastrop, Copperas Cove, Fort Bend, and Galena Park ISDs. As CFO, she will oversee Del Valle ISD’s multi-million-dollar budget and ensure that financial decisions align with the district’s priorities to enhance student success. Edgar holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY.
Danica Murillo, Chief Human Resources Officer
Murillo joins the district from Seguin ISD, where she served as Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer. Known for her focus on recruitment, retention, and employee well-being, Murillo will lead efforts to build an inclusive and supportive environment for all staff. With experience in data-driven leadership, she will help strengthen employee satisfaction and promote diversity across the district. Murillo holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from St. Mary’s University and a master’s in Library Science from Texas Woman’s University.
Both Edgar and Murillo will begin their roles in early November.
With this dynamic new leadership team in place, Del Valle ISD is excited to embark on a new chapter, working collaboratively to foster excellence, transparency, and community engagement throughout the district.
Whisper Valley is thrilled to work closely with Del Valle ISD’s newest leaders as the district prepares to open its second high school within our community. The new high school will serve up to 2,400 students and is scheduled to open in fall 2026. Featuring stunning modern architecture, cutting-edge facilities and innovative Career and Technical Education programming, the school will offer students the opportunity to focus on career tracks in technology, manufacturing, health sciences, robotics and automotive for highly-skilled jobs when they leave high school.
Located in East Austin’s fast-growing corridor along State Highway 130, Whisper Valley is a 2,063-acre master-planned community featuring healthy living amenities and zero energy capable homes. In addition to the new Del Valle ISD high school, Whisper Valley will also be home to two future Del Valle ISD schools.
Learn more about Del Valle ISD’s new high school in our recent blog!