TRUSTEES NAME MATT KIMBALL NEW SISD SUPERINTENDENT

SISD Trustees have confirmed Matt Kimball as SISD’s newest Superintendent of Schools. Mr. Kimball begins full time work at SISD July 1.

The Sunnyvale ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name Matt Kimball the Lone Finalist for the position of Superintendent at their regularly scheduled meeting on April 24. Mr. Kimball’s contract became final on May 16.

“We are excited to welcome Matt Kimball to the Raider Nation,” Board of Trustees President Brad Cravens said. “He is the right fit for our community and most of all, for our Raiders. We look forward to watching him lead Sunnyvale ISD’s continued success.”

Mr. Kimball comes to the Raider Nation from Blue Ridge ISD, where he has served the district as superintendent since 2019. He began his career in Coppell ISD as a teacher and assistant principal. He was a principal in Frisco ISD from 2002 to 2014 and then became assistant superintendent for human resources with San Angelo ISD. His 31-year educational career is highlighted by one of his campuses being selected as a National Blue Ribbon School in 2006.

“My wife and I are excited to join the community and serve our students, staff and parents. Sunnyvale is a special place. I look forward to working with all stakeholders to honor what has made the district a unique and highly successful school system while helping it to continue to ‘engage, equip and empower’ all students to pursue their hopes and dreams,” Mr. Kimball said.

During his time at Blue Ridge ISD, the district passed a $25 million bond, built a new elementary school and remodeled the other campuses. The district also built two new agricultural education barns and a new athletics field house. The district has expanded Career and Technical Education opportunities for students and improved SAT participation and scores under Mr. Kimball’s leadership. He helped BRISD establish an Education Foundation, which supports students and teachers with innovative grants and scholarships. Mr. Kimball also led the district in recovering from a 2022 tornado that disrupted school function and caused an estimated $12 million dollars of damage.

Looking ahead, Mr. Kimball plans to spend a substantial amount of time getting to know district staff and leaders, each individual board member, town and community leaders, and parents and students. He plans to arrange meetings and opportunities to interact with stakeholders in June, July, and August.

Mr. Kimball has been married to his wife, Jennifer for 32 years. They have two children, Grant and Sheridan. Grant, a graduate of Texas A&M University, is married to Laura. The couple has a one-year-old son named James (the Kimball’s first grandchild). Sheridan is a junior at Texas A&M University. The Kimballs attend Prestoncrest Church of Christ in Dallas.

Once they secure housing, the Kimballs will reside in Sunnyvale.

WHY SUNNYVALE ISD?

Quality Staff

“Sunnyvale ISD is well-known across the state for the stellar success students have inside and outside the classroom. The district has a reputation for having a talented staff and leadership team that supports students in achieving their potential. In addition, parents in Sunnyvale are involved, supportive, and recognize the value of the school and home partnership. I find all of those qualities extremely valuable and exciting. I also appreciate the strong sense of community in Sunnyvale. It is an idyllic setting. At the end of the day, SISD is a district who engages its community, empowers its staff, and equips its students for a bright future!”

My Background

“I was born and raised in Alaska. My dad was in the Air Force and then went to work for an oil refinery. My mother was a school secretary. Our family loved the outdoors and did everything from ice fishing to downhill skiing. My favorite Alaskan activity is fishing, specifically fly fishing. In school, I was involved in athletics from elementary through high school. I participated in wrestling, basketball, football, and track. While my athletic prowess lacked definitive talent, I knew early in high school I wanted to be a teacher.

I pursued my teaching degree at Abilene Christian University, where I met my wife, Jennifer. I began my education career in Coppell ISD as a fifth-grade teacher in 1992. Since then I have been an assistant principal, principal, executive director of schools, assistant superintendent and superintendent.”

My Favorite Teacher

“I had several favorite teachers, but Mrs. Massie comes to mind most often. I had her for Honors English my sophomore, junior and senior years. Every assigned essay would find me writing two and three drafts before submitting it for a grade in her class. Through verbal and written feedback, she helped me develop my writing skills and improve my ACT score. I rarely got an “A” in her class. She had high standards and expectations but supported her students.”

“Thebestwaytodescribemyenthusiasmforeducationandworkingwithstudentscomesfromamemoirturnedmovie.Basedonthebook Rocket Boys,the movie October Sky depictstheimpactaneducatorcanhavewhenheorsheempowersstudentsandprovidesthemwiththeresourcesandsupportnecessary. Ilookforwardtoengaging,equipping,andempoweringourSunnyvalestaffandstudentsastheypursuetheirdreams!”

SISD’s Outbound Class has a new business project that has gone to the dogs - literally!

The students — who are part of the district’s adult transition program - are making and selling homemade dog treats and selling them for a price that can’t be beat. For $5, anyone can purchase Rowdy’s Bow-Wow Biscuits online on the SISD website.

“A major focus of the transition program is adult employment,” program coordinator Rachel Parrish said. “Having a student project such as our dog treat business teaches greater economic self-sufficiency, gives students an opportunity to use their skills and have a more active participation in community life.”

Weekly, the students begin their project with a grocery list and then do the shopping. They then make the treats in the kitchen of the administration building by following a recipe using all-natural ingredients.

Parrish said the students are also practicing, “kitchen safety, quality control, packaging, money counting and changemaking, social skills during transactions and independence.

Rowdy’s Bow-Wow Biscuits will be on sale again in the fall.