July/Aug 2025 Texas School Business

Texas School Business

President Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora

President

Nájera

Dacia Rivers

N2 Learning and TASA are excited to partner to help districts transform the learning experiences for students, teachers, and administrators.

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SFrom the editor

ummer is o cially here, and I hope this issue of Texas School Business nds you making the most of the school year pause … and your air conditioning.

In this issue, we highlight another school district turnaround. is time we head to tiny Cumby ISD, where Shelly Slaughter stepped into the superintendency a er a tumultuous time of leadership turnover in the district. Turn to page 10 to learn about the changes she has made since she took the reins in 2013. It’s a story of dedication that you won’t want to miss.

Summer is also the perfect time to nominate your district's innovative program for our annual Bragging Rights issue. at’s the one where we highlight 12 outstanding district programs from across the state. If you have a unique and innovative program in your district (and of course you do), ll out the form here by 5 p.m. on Aug. 29 and let us brag on you. Head to texasschoolbusiness.com to read back issues of Bragging Rights and learn more.

As always, thank you for reading and sharing Texas School Business. I hope you all are enjoying as much family and downtime as possible and getting rested, refreshed and maybe even a little inspired.

Dacia Rivers Editorial Director

Texas School Business

JULY/AUGUST 2025

Volume LXXII, Issue 4

406 East 11th Street

Austin, Texas 78701

Phone: 512-477-6361

www.texasschoolbusiness.com

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Dacia Rivers

DESIGN

Phaedra Strecher Heinen

COLUMNISTS

Avery Arizola

Riney Jordan

Jim Walsh

Shara Wright

ADVERTISING SALES

Jennifer Garrido

TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Kevin Brown

DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING

Amy Francisco

PThe role of school administrators in the culture war

by Jim Walsh

erhaps it’s too early to call it a trend, but there have been three recent court decisions supporting school administrators who made tough decisions on Culture War issues.

e Michigan case involved a third grader wearing a cap to school bearing a depiction of an AR-15 ri e and the phrase “Come and Take It.” e administrators didn’t like the message. ey were particularly concerned about its possible e ect on students from the nearby Oxford district who had transferred in a er a student in Oxford killed four and injured seven. e principal, assistant principal, and superintendent (soon to be known as “the Defendants”) called the dad to ask him to bring his daughter a di erent cap. A er all, it was Hat Day and all the kids were allowed to wear a hat. e dad (soon to be known as “the next friend of the Plainti ”) refused to do so.

e principal and assistant asked the little girl to remove her Come and Take It cap, and she did so. Not three months later, these parties were in federal court, arguing about the First Amendment.

I think you will be pleased to know that the Circuit Court agreed with the administrators’ judgment call: ere was a reasonable forecast of material and substantial disruption of school. It’s C.S. v. McCrumb, decided by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals on May 2, 2025.

en there was the kid in Ohio who wore his “Let’s Go Brandon” T-shirt to school several times, despite being told by the principal that the message on the shirt was vulgar and unacceptable in the school setting. I trust that TSB readers know exactly what “Let’s Go Brandon” really means. If you don’t, just ask Google.

Eventually, the school barred the boy from attending some school eld trips. He and his father alleged that this would cause “irreparable harm.” ey sought an injunction to force the school to let the student go to the local amusement park with the rest of the class.

e court ruled in favor of the school district, citing the Supreme Court’s language in an earlier case:

“… it is a highly appropriate function of a public school education to prohibit the use of vulgar and o ensive terms in public discourse.” Bethel School District No. 403 v. Fraser, 478 U.S. 675 (1986).

It’s Conrad v. Madison Local School District BOE, decided by the federal court for the Northern District of Ohio on May 12, 2025.

e Massachusetts case involves the T-shirt that read “ ere Are Only Two Genders.” Again, school administrators cited concerns over disruption of school and told the student and his parents that he could not display this message. e 1st Circuit supported the school’s decision, and just last month the Supreme Court decided not to take the case. It’s L.M. v. Town of Middleborough, 103 F.4th 854 (1st Cir. 2024).

Notice that none of these cases were tossed out as being too trivial. Compare these plainti s with others who have alleged a free speech violation. Mary Beth Tinker was suspended from school for wearing a black armband. Matthew Fraser was suspended for giving a vulgar speech at a school assembly. Joseph Frederick got suspended for his Bong Hits 4 Jesus banner at the local parade. ey all were suspended from school. Brandi, the Foul-Mouthed

The principal and assistant asked the little girl to remove her Come and Take It cap, and she did so. Not three months later, these parties were in federal court, arguing about the First Amendment.

Cheerleader, was not suspended, but she was kicked o the JV cheerleading squad for a full year.

In these cases we are dealing with hats, T-shirts, and eld trips to the amusement park. But notice that in none of these cases did the judges say “this is too trivial to be in federal court.” Instead, they expected the administrators to explain why they believed there would be a disruption of school, or an interference with the rights of others. Courts will back you up — but you have to do your work rst.

JIM WALSH is an attorney with Walsh Gallegos Treviño Russo & Kyle PC. He can be reached at jwalsh@wabsa.com. You can also follow him on X: @jwalshtxlawdawg.

Who’s News

Michele Josselet is now principal of Clack Middle School, transferring to her new job from leading Alcorta Elementary. She began her career in Anson ISD, coming to Abilene in 2006. She graduated from McMurry University and holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Lamar University.

Alcorta Elementary School’s new principal, Melissa Speegle, brings 20 years of experience to her position, having served most recently as an assistant principal in Aubrey ISD. She also worked in Little Elm, Decatur and Paradise ISDs. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas and a master’s degree in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Ashley West, newly appointed principal of Craig Middle School, brings 14 years of experience to her new role. She joined Abilene ISD in 2011 as a math and engineering teacher at ATEMS (Academy of Technology, Engineering, Math and Science) and since 2019 has held leadership positions at Cooper High School. She is a graduate of Abilene Christian University with a master’s degree from Sul Ross State University.

Cooper High School’s new volleyball head coach is Kandice Williams, who has taught and coached in Plainview and West Orange ISDs and Plemons-StinnettPhillips CISD. She holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Wayland Baptist University.

Kami Williamson, now Abilene High School’s girls’ basketball head coach, comes to Abilene from Cedar Park High in Leander ISD. She earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in kinesiology from Angelo State University.

Bastrop ISD

Jessica Hanson has accepted the role of Azle ISD’s assistant superintendent, coming to her new position from serving as executive director of leadership and learning.

e new chief nancial o cer is Summer Mathis, who joins the district from Boyd ISD, where she held the same position.

Stevi Norris has been named principal of Forte Junior High. She most recently worked for ESC Region 11 as a teacher certi cation specialist.

e district’s new director of bilingual education is Lizbeth Moore, who comes to Bastrop from Tyler ISD, where she held the same position. Before her time in Tyler, she was an assistant principal in Arlington ISD. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Now serving as the district’s director of operations is Joshua Thomas, a Bastrop High School graduate who went on to earn a business degree from Texas State University. He comes to his new position from the Texas Veterans Commission and prior to that was a park superintendent with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Birdville ISD

Binion Elementary School will welcome Kenji Ford as its new principal when the 202526 academic year begins.

Most recently principal of Hardeman Elementary, she also worked in Fort Worth and Katy ISDs. She is a graduate of DePaul University with two master’s degrees, from American Intercontinental University and the University of Houston.

Former Azle High School assistant principal Logan Enis has taken the reins as principal of Hoover Elementary School.

Birdville ISD has announced the appointment of Liz Peña as Richland Middle School principal. She has led Griggs High since 2023 and was also an academic dean, assistant principal and secondary summer school director in the district. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Dallas Baptist University.

Cheryl Waddell is the new principal of Cheney Hills Elementary School. She was principal of Binion Elementary since 2023 and previously led Spicer Elementary. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Woman’s University, a master’s degree from Dallas Baptist University, and a doctorate from Walden University.

Blooming Grove ISD

Bryan ISD

John Griggs , newly appointed superintendent, is a 17-year educator who most recently served as Mexia ISD’s high school principal.

Bryan High School will start the 2025-26 academic year with Gregory Bowhuis in place as principal. He began his career in Michigan before transferring to Texas, where he has served in positions ranging from classroom teacher to campus administrator, most recently as associate principal of Magnolia West High in Magnolia ISD.

Norma Friddle has been approved as the district’s assistant superintendent of business services/chief nancial o cer. She has worked in those areas in Del Valle, Comal and Natalia ISDs. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Now leading Navarro Elementary School is Tara Hunter, who brings 22 years of experience, all in Bryan ISD, to her new job. She holds two bachelor’s degrees from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree from Sam Houston State University.

Becky Luna is the new principal of Austin Middle School. She has been an educator for 16 years, 12 of those in Bryan ISD, most recently serving as associate principal for academics at Davila Middle School.

Canutillo ISD (El Paso)

Canutillo ISD has announced the upcoming retirement of Pedro Galaviz, who has led the district for 13 years. His last day will be July 31.

Abilene ISD

Azle ISD

Fernando Martinez has been named Canutillo ISD’s police chief. A recent retiree from the Bexar County Constable Precinct 4 o ce in San Antonio, his law enforcement experience spans more than 25 years.

Carrizo Springs CISD

New superintendent Rose Saldaña Pearson brings 24 years of experience to her new job. Most recently executive director of schools in Medina Valley ISD, she spent 21 years with San Marcos CISD as a teacher, instructional coach, associate principal and principal and director of student support services and family engagement. She is a graduate of Texas State University with a master’s degree from Texas A&M University at Commerce and is pursuing her doctorate from Houston Christian University.

Cleveland ISD

Former Aransas Pass ISD superintendent Glenn Barnes has accepted the top position at Cleveland ISD, where he began his career in 1999. He then served as assistant superintendent of Splendora ISD before transferring to Aransas Pass.

Conroe ISD

Ted Landry has been named interim superintendent of Conroe ISD. e 30-year educator, who was principal of e Woodlands High School since 2018, previously was a special assistant to the superintendent of Humble ISD and served as principal of that district’s Kingwood High School. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Louisiana and his doctorate from the University of Houston.

Coppell ISD

Corsicana ISD

Corsicana ISD has announced the appointment of Ericka Smith as the district’s health coordinator. A graduate of Corsicana High School, she went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Texas at Tyler. She spent eight years as a pediatric nurse at Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas before returning to Corsicana to serve as Collins Intermediate School’s nurse.

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD

Former Swenke Elementary School assistant principal Brandy Breaux has been promoted to principal of Hamilton Elementary. With 25 years of experience in education, she initially was a teacher and assistant principal in Louisiana before joining Cypress-Fairbanks ISD in 2015. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University and a master’s degree in K-12 educational leadership from Nicholls State University.

Smith Middle School’s new principal, Janea’ Dennis, has spent her career in the district as a teacher, instructional coach, team lead, department chair and, most recently, associate principal of Cypress Woods High School. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and a master’s degree from the University of Phoenix.

Stephanie Hakemack has been promoted from assistant principal to principal of Willbern Elementary School. She has spent her 24-year career in the district, also working as a teacher and instructional specialist at Willbern before being named its testing and Title I coordinator. She received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in elementary education from Sam Houston State University.

Dayton ISD

e district’s new superintendent, Travis Young, is a graduate of Dayton High School who went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University, a master’s degree from Prairie View A&M University, and a doctorate from Lamar University. He has been with Dayton ISD for 23 years, most recently serving as assistant superintendent of student services.

Dell City ISD

e district’s new superintendent is Michael Steck.

Denton ISD

Blanton Elementary School’s new principal is Morgann Hawkins, former assistant principal of McNair Elementary. She brings a decade of experience to her new job, including stints in Humble and Plano ISDs. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University, where she is currently at work on her doctorate.

Harpool Middle School will welcome Dylan Taylor as its new principal when the 2025-26 academic year begins in August. He has spent his career in Denton ISD, most recently as assistant principal of Rodriguez Middle School. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and his master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Superintendent Brad Hunt, who led the district since 2017, has retired, bringing to a close a 35-year career in education.

Doug Williams is serving as Coppell ISD’s interim superintendent. An educator for 40 years, he began as a teacher and coach, moving into administration in 1999 and serving as Sunnyvale ISD’s superintendent for the past 16 years. He was also the 2021-22 TASA president.

Donald Lawrence, former boys’ athletic director and head football coach at Clear Lake High School, now holds that position at Cypress Park High. He began his now 18-year career in Brownsville ISD, joining College Station ISD in 2011 and going on to work in Pearland ISD before coming to Cypress-Fairbanks in 2023. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas Lutheran University and his master’s degree from Abilene Christian University.

Denton ISD has selected Landon Turrubiarte as principal of Stephens Elementary School. He joined the district in 2009 and has led Blanton Elementary since 2022. He is a graduate of Dallas Baptist University with a master’s degree in educational leadership from Texas Woman’s University.

e new principal of Borman Elementary School, Marlen Velásquez, held the top job at Ginnings Elementary since 2024 and has spent 21 of her 25 years as an educator in Denton ISD. She received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of North Texas.

A culture

Pride and perseverance in Cumby ISD

by Dacia Rivers

“If we are truly trying to prepare our kids to start taking dual credit as freshmen in high school and really bring the rigor up, it has to start in pre-K ... we’ve created a system that is a living, breathing, working system that we can change if we need to.”

change

Change is a constant, and sometimes that’s a good thing, but stability in leadership is always bene cial, especially when it comes to district-level school leadership. But in tiny Cumby ISD, located about an hour northeast of Dallas, depending on tra c, the district went through a period of signi cant turnover, with six di erent superintendents (including interims) leading the district in a ve-year period.

ose tumultuous times came to an end in 2013, when Shelly Slaughter stepped into the o ce. Slaughter had worked in the district since 2004 as a principal.

Now 12 years later, she still holds the superintendency, having spent more than a decade working to improve student outcomes in the small, rural district.

When Slaughter became superintendent, she inherited a challenging position. Not only had leadership turnover been high, but student enrollment was dropping, meaning less funding for an already struggling district. She started thinking of ways to set Cumby students apart and get them the skills they needed to be competitive post-graduation.

Slaughter visited Roscoe Collegiate ISD, a district that had gone through a pilot

In Cumby ISD, participation on the Collegiate Edu-Nation program turned the district into a P-20 district and introduced a Montessori program.

program with Collegiate Edu-Nation to become a P-Tech academy, lead by thensuperintendent Kim Alexander. Slaughter was blown away by the success Roscoe had experienced with the program, and Cumby ISD joined the second cohort of Collegiate Edu-Nation districts.

rough the program, Cumby became a P-20 district and introduced a Montessori program, something Slaughter says was initially a tough sell, but a challenge that she felt was worth ghting for.

“If we are truly trying to prepare our kids to start taking dual credit as freshmen in high school and really bring the rigor up,

it has to start in pre-K,” she says. “We have to marry the traditional with Montessori, because we still have the TEKS that have to be taught, and so in doing that, we’ve created a system that is a living, breathing, working system that we can change if we need to.”

Besides the Montessori-inspired pre-K, Cumby has also built a new high school and bu ed up its CTE o erings. e district now has an education training program to create a grow-your-own system for students interested in teaching.

► See Culture, page 12

Students in Cumby ISD now have a wealth of dual-credit opportunities, and the district has seen enrollment grow.

◄ Continued from page 11

When the district began implementing these new programs, sta turnover picked up, which is something to be expected with signi cant change, but Slaughter stresses that it’s important to have buy-in from sta to ensure everyone is on the same page and working toward a common goal.

“We all want the same things,” Slaughter says. “Some were not ready to change, but now they see why change was needed. Now we are becoming even more of a professional learning team in a professional learning community. It wasn’t always that way.”

Since Slaughter took the helm in Cumby,

things are de nitely transforming in the district. Enrollment has increased signi cantly, up to 450 students currently from 386 in the 2018-19 school year, per TEA. Students in the district are earning associate degrees while in high school, and graduating with industrybased certi cations, all at no cost to their families. e district has partnered with a number of entities, including East Texas A&M and Paris Junior College, to o er dual-credit courses. Slaughter says the district is also working with the Hopkins County EDC to possibly provide internships and apprenticeships to Cumby students.

“We just want our kids to be able to

compete,” Slaughter says. “We saw too many of our kids leaving. is way, they’re nishing associate degrees and certi cations and then they can go out and get a better job from day one. We want them to go out and come back and continue to grow our community, because the school is the heart of the community.”

Over the last 12 years, Slaughter has seen a change in the culture in Cumby ISD. She says students used to be unsure about what their futures might look like a er graduation. Now, they are excited about what the future holds for them.

Students have more pride in Cumby, which Slaughter hopes will spread into the greater community.

“When I rst came here, I would hear so o en, ‘We’re just from Cumby.’ I don’t hear that anymore. Now there is pride. I’m ready for that pride to spill out into the community. Because when kids do it and the adults in their lives see that, it changes them.”

e average length for a superintendent to stay in one district in Texas is about four years, according to TASB. Having spent 12 years in the seat in Cumby, Slaughter knows as much as anyone that signi cant change takes time. It is her dedication to seeing Cumby through the transition that keeps her going.

“What really keeps me here is seeing the way our kids are stepping up and being leaders.” she says. “ ey’re proud

Over the last 12 years, Superintendent Shelly Slaughter has seen a complete culture change in Cumby ISD.

to be here. So we can see the fruits of our labor. We feel like we are not only building good employees, but just good human beings.”

When Slaughter was rst called to education, she worked as a school counselor. It’s a role she always thought she would hold. In a way, she has taken those skills of listening and empathy, that servant’s heart and that dedication that drew her to counseling, and applied them to an entire district that truly needed her dedication and her perseverance to become a thriving educational centerstone of an entire community.

Slaughter gets emotional when she talks about Cumby. With more than a decade

of intense, daily dedication to the district, it’s evident her love for the community runs deep. It’s a level of commitment she believes any administrator can achieve if their heart is in the right place.

“Just stay the course because things are not immediate,” she advises. “Celebrate those small wins because they’re bigger than you think. Sit down and have conversations with kids and listen to what they say. You’re going to know that it’s working, but it’s not easy work. You have to stay the course and know things are changing, even if you can’t see it. It’s a process.”

DACIA RIVERS is editorial director of

Texas School Business.

TACS PRESIDENT’S PROGRAM ENJOYS LUNCH IN AUSTIN

In May, the Texas Association of Community Schools held its annual President’s Program and luncheon in Austin.

▲ Victoria Lang, Proximity Learning; Brenda Bomar, TACS; David Faltys, Government Capital Corporation; Hector Dominguez, Runge ISD superintendent; Gil Green, Proximity Learning; Sheri Blankenship, TACS deputy executive director.

▲ Chad Jones, Gallagher Construction; Jake Lawrence, Government Capital Corporation; Rick Howard, TACS past president; Wade Gent, Linebarger; Paul Vranish’s daughter and Paul, TACS past president.

Barry Haenisch, former TACS executive director; and Sara Leon, Leon | Alcala.

◄ Stu Musick, Navasota ISD superintendent and Crystal White, TACS executive director.

◄ Keith Sparkman, CFO at Mineola ISD; Wade Gent, Linebarger; Joey Dawson, Live Oak Public Finance; Vicki Adams, TACS; Paul Polasek, Aloesoftware Group; Annette Rodriguez, Proximity Learning; Cody Mize, Mineola ISD superintendent and TACS vice president.

Photo Feature

◄ Ann Marie, A Bargas; and Paul Trull, Performance Services.

▲ Erika Federis, Victoria Olivarez and Eddy Hernandez Perez, all of Leon | Alcala.

▲

PRESIDENT PROFILE

Texas Council of Women School Executives (TCWSE)

Earlier this year, the Texas Council of Women School Executives (TCWSE) celebrated a signi cant anniversary with its “Fierce, Fabulous and 40” themed convention. At the helm was new TCWSE president Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora of Tomball ISD.

A 38-year veteran educator, Salazar-Zamora’s path to education leadership began with her personal experience as a student. As a child, she experienced profound hearing loss and received an ossicular chain implant when she was just 17 years old. Spending years in speech therapy gave her an intense, rst-person appreciation for the eld, and she spent years in college studying speech pathology.

Salazar-Zamora earned a doctorate of education from Texas A&M University, a master’s of education in educational administration and a master’s of education in special education from Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and a bachelor’s of science from Texas A&I University.

Initially, Salazar-Zamora entered the education eld working as a speech therapist, moving on to hold positions as an educational diagnostician, classroom teacher, director of federal programs and assistant superintendent before stepping into the superintendency in her hometown of Kingsville.

Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora leads TCWSE with passion, purpose

“I was enamored with the idea of being part of an association of women who were very like-minded in public education, in support of the work we were doing, but also in support of each other. It was a nurturing collegiality of a sisterhood.”

She also held administrative positions in Spring, Houston and Round Rock ISDs before making the move to Tomball. In 2017, Salazar-Zamora became Tomball superintendent, and she was named Texas Superintendent of the Year and an AASA National Superintendent of the Year Finalist in 2023.

Salazar-Zamora holds numerous volunteer posts. She is TASA immediate past president, a founding member of the Texas Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents and president of the Fast Growth School Coalition, along with serving as president of both TCWSE at the state level and the Houston chapter of the council.

Salazar-Zamora joined TCWSE more than 25 years ago a er being introduced to the group by her mentor, Marjorie Cain Du ey. Salazar-Zamora was fascinated by the idea of an organized association committed to empowering women in educational roles. It was something she’d seen women do in small, interpersonal groups, and she was excited about the opportunities a formal statewide group could o er.

“I was enamored with the idea of being part of an association of women who were very like-minded in public education, in support of the work we were doing, but also in support of each other,” she says. “It was a nurturing collegiality of a sisterhood.”

TCWSE members exist in every corner of Texas public education. Some members work in classrooms, some are campus leaders or district leaders, and of course many are superintendents. At this year’s TCWSE conference, more than 500 attendees came together, and SalazarZamora says the group is the fastestgrowing education association in the state.

One of TCWSE’s chief purposes is mentoring and supporting women in their education careers and helping them achieve whatever their personal goals might be. at could be meeting women where they are in their careers, helping them to be the best they can in their chosen profession, or supporting women who aspire to be campus or district leaders.

“I love that this association fosters a very inclusive environment, where everyone’s talents and contributions are not just recognized, but celebrated,” Salazar-Zamora says.

Each year at the TCWSE conference, held in conjunction with the TASA Midwinter

Conference, members come together for professional development and networking, as well as a little bit (or maybe a lot) of fun. TCWSE also includes regional groups that host meetings to discuss what support members would like to see so that the association can best work to meet those needs.

Margret Montgomery established TCWSE in 1984, and she was in attendance this year as Salazar-Zamora presided over the group’s 40th anniversary celebration. e new president made sure to honor and recognize Montgomery and the foresight she had to start the group when she did and the dedication she has put into continuing to help the council grow. A erwards, Montgomery sent SalazarZamora roses and a letter of appreciation.

Salazar-Zamora says the letter touched her, and in it, Montgomery said the large, successful group that TCWSE has become is just what she had always hoped to see.

► See TCWSE, page 19

Texas Council of Women School Executives (TCWSE)

Mission: TCWSE’s mission is to create and maintain a united community of professional educational executives by promoting equity and quality in leadership through renewal, mentoring and career advancement support.

Membership: Anyone who supports TCWSE’s mission is invited to join the organization. Active and student memberships are available.

Year founded: 1984

Website: tcwse.org

PRESIDENT PROFILE

Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators (TASPA)

The newest president of the Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators recently took the post for a second time, proof of her commitment to Texas public education, and especially the human resources aspect.

Johjania Nájera of Keller ISD began her career in education as an elementary bilingual teacher, then quickly moved into an assistant principal position. She then served as a principal before nding a job she loves dearly, one that fuels her passion, in school human resources.

For the last 15 years, Nájera has served in HR in Keller, where she is now the chief human resources o cer, a position in which she feels she is most able to help support schools, school sta , and students.

“I’m a huge supporter of public schools, and being able to really dig into the work of retention and recruitment of great

Johjania Nájera steps into second term as TASPA president

“Supporting our district with our human capital to make our schools the best place for our students to thrive … I really love being part of that process.”

educators is huge,” Nájera says. “And supporting our district with our human capital to make our schools the best place for our students to thrive … I really love being part of that process.”

As soon as Nájera made the move into school HR in 2010, she joined TASPA, an association that she says supports school personnel sta through networking, learning, education and connection.

“Since the day that I joined, our network has been such a strong network of support,” she says. “TASPA provides very personal support to all of our members. We’re a smaller group, but we are very hands-on and very supportive of each other. We truly look out for each other and help each other out.”

Nájera has always dedicated herself to helping others, and so it wasn’t long before TASPA board members encouraged her to get involved in the group’s leadership.

The Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators (TASPA)

Membership: TASPA membership is open to Texas public school human resources administrators and support staff.

Mission: The mission of TASPA is to engage and develop human resource professionals thereby enhancing HR services to school districts.

Year founded: 1966

Number of members: About 1,000

Website: taspa.org

“I wanted to be a part of a great organization that truly focuses on learning and support,” she says of her choice to become a TASPA o cer. “I wanted to be part of that positive change and not just status quo at an organization.”

Her rst term as TASPA president was successful enough that members asked Nájera to return to the post and continue to be a voice for the group. And that’s just what she’s doing.

While serving as the Region 4 TASPA president, Nájera helped create a scholarship for future educators. Her work helped inspire other TASPA regional groups to follow that lead and create their own scholarships as well.

“It’s been a passion of mine to help whoever is in front of me at the time,” Nájera says. “It is truly an honor and a privilege to be part of TASPA leadership.” ◄

◄ TCWSE Continued from page 17

“She wanted to see, years later, women leading, women supporting women, embracing, listening. It touched my heart that the founder of our association still believes so much in the mission and has been able to see hundreds of women’s careers transformed because of her vision. I think we owe her so much.”

To Salazar-Zamora, TCWSE is a sisterhood, and an important one. She says she is seeing a national push for more women superintendents, buoyed by like-minded women who work to li each other up. No stranger to leadership, she says that her TCWSE roles in particular have helped make her a better leader because of the people she has met and the connections she has made.

As TCWSE continues to grow, the council recently made an exciting announcement. e group will soon welcome its rst ever

executive director. Salazar-Zamora knows this new director will be a driving force for the association that means so much to so many.

“What I love most about TCWSE is that it truly envisions and has continued to emulate the premier platform that really empowers women to ascend to the leadership role in education that they aspire,” SalazarZamora says. “ is association is about the people. e members. We are TCWSE.”

DACIA RIVERS is editorial director of Texas School Business.

REGIONAL VIEW

Education service center programs & practices

Leandra Coronado poses with her diploma during the Weslaco ISD Career & College Development Center graduation ceremony at Weslaco East High School. (Photo courtesy Weslaco ISD)

“All I knew was I didn’t want to be where I was”

Region One Dropout Recovery Initiative

o ers second chance at high school diploma

by Avery Arizola

Anthony Germain was 17 when he dropped out of high school.

“I wanted to earn the trust of others,” he said. “I knew I needed to do some work internally and externally. Education was part of that process.”

e path back was not a straight line. Years passed. Personal struggles, legal troubles and a growing sense that too much time had slipped away all pulled Germain further from the classroom. Without a diploma, opportunities for stable employment and career growth became harder to grasp, with the path ahead always in sight but just beyond reach.

en came a phone call that changed everything.

Weslaco ISD’s Career & College Development Center reached out to his mother with an opportunity for Germain to return to school and nish what he started. e district had just launched a new dropout recovery program in partnership with Region One Education Service Center. Established in the 2023–24 school year, the Region One Dropout Recovery Initiative serves adults ages 18-26 who have not completed high school — partnering with Edcouch-Elsa, PharrSan Juan-Alamo (PSJA) and Weslaco ISDs to help students return to education.

“ is work is about more than just helping students earn a diploma,” said Dr. Daniel P. King, executive director of Region One ESC. “It is about changing the trajectory of a person’s life and, by extension, their family and their community.”

e foundation for this work was laid in 2007, when King, then superintendent of PSJA ISD, launched the rst dropout recovery program of its kind. By reengaging former students and integrating college and career pathways into the high school completion process, the model quickly gained national attention. It has since been replicated across the state and country, serving as a blueprint for how school systems can re-imagine education.

King said the initiative re ects the service center’s broader goals to close opportunity gaps by meeting people where they are at.

“We know that some students step away from education because of circumstances beyond their control,” he said. “Others may have made poor decisions. If we do not create opportunities for them, we risk losing their potential entirely. ese programs are about o ering a second chance. When we work together as a community, real transformation is possible.”

at belief in second chances now drives a comprehensive support system. In April 2025, the Hidalgo County Community Service Agency awarded more than $47,000 in direct assistance to students enrolled in the dropout recovery programs. e funds covered school supplies, graduation regalia and over $20,000 in utility assistance, crucial relief for students managing households while attending school.

“Our partnerships allow us to remove long-standing barriers and show these students that we believe in them,” King said. “ is initiative supports students beyond academics, addressing real-life challenges and creating pathways for sustainable success and generational transformation.”

Region One also helps students prepare for what comes next. With support from a $450,000 Trellis Foundation grant, the initiative added a dedicated college transition specialist who guides students

▲ Weslaco ISD Career & College Development Center graduate Anthony Germain and Dr. Daniel P. King during a campus tour on January 30, 2025.

through nancial aid, academic planning and enrollment. rough workshops, internships and stipends, students explore careers in high-demand elds such as welding, patient care, manufacturing, electrician training and IT.

At the student level, Amanda Aguayo, Region One’s Wraparound Services coordinator, provides the emotional and social support essential to students’ success.

“It takes a lot of courage to come back to school,” Aguayo said. “Many students come in not wanting to talk to one another and they are apprehensive about building new relationships. But once they realize they’re going through similar things, they begin to support each other.”

Germain said he experienced that shi rsthand.

“Some of my classmates are not too social, so they look to me for somebody who can talk, not just for themselves but the entire group,” he said. “If I am going to be that person, I must be held accountable. I represent my classmates and all the kids like me who are in school.”

Aguayo leads weekly group sessions that blend emotional support, self-care and team-building through games and open discussions.

“In these group sessions, we had the time to build relationships,” she said. “We did a lot of work on connecting with one another and being respectful of each other’s space.”

Aguayo also trained educators, many of whom came from traditional secondary settings, in trauma-informed care and exible instructional strategies.

“ ese students need the instruction to be changed for them — and that’s OK,” she said. “We can do that because of the small scale and exible pace of courses.”

e Region One coordinator said that wraparound support must come from all levels, not just educators.

“We even helped campus secretaries support students,” Aguayo said. “ ey are the rst people students see in the morning. It makes a huge di erence for

► See Regional View, page 25

San Saba High School art: unleashing creativity through hard work

by Shara Wright

San Saba — if one has never heard of it, they are not alone. San Saba is a tiny Texas community nestled between two rivers, creating a fertile valley known as “ e Pecan Capital of the World.” Pecans are not the only crop cultivated in San Saba; the local high school also cultivates hardworking students.

Tradition runs deep in this tiny Texas town, from the unique mascot — an Armadillo — to the football eld called “ e Graveyard,” because it was built over a bulldozed cemetery. Generations of students have worked to keep school traditions alive. Students are called upon to balance

their studies with multiple extracurricular activities so the school can excel in UIL, FFA, VASE (Visual Art Scholastic Event), and other programs.

San Saba High School art students were recognized for their hard work when the program received the District of Distinction Award from the Texas Art Education Association. It was one of just 96 districts — out of 1,200 statewide — that met the high standards required for this honor, placing San Saba in the top 5.5% of visual art programs in Texas.

As the art teacher, I have seen this work ethic

in action. My philosophy is simple: Anyone can learn to draw if they practice the three P’s: Practice, Patience, and Perseverance. Students learn that creating art doesn’t require incredible talent, just hard work, close attention to detail, and a willingness to let their imagination soar.

As one student re ected, “I simply reminded myself of Mrs. Wright’s words: It doesn’t require exceptional skill, only hard work and close attention to detail.”

is philosophy, rooted in e ort and tenacity, is the heartbeat of the program, turning unsure beginners into con dent creators.

San Saba High School has a strong arts program, and students recently received the District of Distinction Award from the Texas Art Education Association.

More than half the student population at SSHS participates in the art program, which allows opportunities for students to create outside the classroom and engage with the community. Students learn how to create balloon art and face painting so they can volunteer at community events such as the Fall Festival, Santa’s Workshop, and Night at the Museum, a celebration of Texas Independence held at the local city park and the San Saba Historical Museum.

Students discover that collaboration is the

► See The Arts, page 24

Fine art is a core component of San Saba High School, and art students participate in standout activities including art shows and museum

trips.

secret to creating something extraordinary. Each year, they produce a mural based on a historical photo of San Saba. With the help of the local museum, pictures are gathered, and students vote on their favorite. e chosen photo is then graphed into squares and cut into tiny sections. Each student receives a square and a 4” x 4” canvas. e canvases are taped to a wall so the students can sketch out the image.

en the fun begins: e young artists are limited to four colors — white, black, yellow ochre, and burnt sienna — to paint their canvases. Using their individual square as a reference, they contribute to a collective masterpiece.

Once nished, the squares are assembled like a giant puzzle to produce the full mural, which is framed and displayed in a school hallway for one year. e following year, the mural is auctioned o as a fundraiser. In 2024, the Community Foundation of San Saba, an organization that raises money for restoration and beauti cation projects, purchased the mural for $600. It was later auctioned for $5,820, allowing the art department to fund future projects and give back to the community.

ese hardworking students don’t just participate in community outreach, they excel in competition. ey have earned honors at the Congressional Art Competition Award, won the Space Art Contest, and taken Grand Champion at the San Saba Stock Show Art Contest. Every year, students earn numerous gold medals from VASE, with several advancing to the state level and receiving top honors. Hard work does pay o .

e annual art museum eld trip is a highlight for these students, who live far from Texas’s cultural hubs. Visits to the Kimbell Art Museum and the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth, or the McNay Art Museum in San Antonio, feed their imaginations. is year’s trip to the McNay included an outdoor scavenger hunt and a docent-led tour — memories were made and minds were expanded!

e end-of-year Student Art Show is a labor of love and a true logistical challenge. Students organize the artwork, create the displays, hang the art, and manage takedown. It’s hard work in action. e entire student body attends the show, with elementary and middle school students touring throughout the day. Art students stand beside their pieces, explaining their creative processes. In the evening, the

public is invited to view the artwork, giving students a chance to shine in front of the community.

When students enter the art room, they know they’re supported and capable of achieving great things through e ort and attention to detail. For many, the art room is a refuge from the pressures of adolescence. In a world saturated with screens and standardized tests, San Saba’s art program o ers a space to disconnect and create.

Students learn that creativity isn’t a rare gi — it’s a muscle built through the three P’s. ey discover that art is less about perfection and more about persistence, learning from mistakes, and having the courage to start again. ey leave with more than just artwork; they carry con dence, a sharper eye for detail, and the belief that their ideas matter. In a world that o en demands conformity, this program reminds students that their unique voice can shape the world around them.

As they step out of the art room, creations in hand, they embody Picasso’s truth: “Action is the foundational key to all success.”

SHARA WRIGHT teaches art at San Saba High School and is Region 15 representative for the Texas Art Education Association.

◄ The Arts, Continued from page 23

◄ Regional View Continued from page 21

students to feel welcome as soon as they walk in the door. at kind of consistency changes school culture.”

At each of the three participating campuses, students can enroll for free, regardless of where they reside. e programs o er exible schedules, personalized academic support and career-connected learning that gives students something to work toward beyond a diploma.

is May, the Edcouch-Elsa and Weslaco ISD programs celebrated their rst graduating class, with over 60 students earning their high school diplomas. Since reopening its campus in fall 2024, PSJA ISD’s dropout recovery high school has graduated 180 students, with more expected to graduate in August.

“We need to understand that not everyone has a picture-perfect life,” Aguayo said. “Students go through detrimental life events that a ect their future. Not everyone will graduate on time or follow the same path. Programs like these give students a second chance.”

Deep in re ection, she said she encourages educators to consider what it truly means

to support students who have lost trust in education.

“ is is large-scale work,” Aguayo said. “It involves trauma-informed care, compassion and awareness of the resources students will need. It takes buy-in from educators, sta and leaders at every level.”

at level of support made all the di erence for students like Germain.

“I didn’t have a plan when I came back to school,” he said. “All I knew was I didn’t want to be where I was. When the time is right, I hope others have the strength to listen to what they hear in their heart. Don’t fear the opinion of others. Just start.”

Germain earned his high school diploma in May. is August, he will graduate from South Texas College as a certi ed Microso O ce Specialist. His goal is to become an accountant.

Additional districts have already committed to opening similar dropout recovery high schools in fall 2025, including San Benito CISD and United ISD in Laredo.

AVERY ARIZOLA is communication specialist for Region One ESC.

“This is large-scale work. It involves trauma-informed care, compassion and awareness of the resources students will need. It takes buy-in from educators, sta and leaders at every level.”

▲ Edcouch-Elsa ISD College Career Center graduate Jacqueline Ortiz Aguilar poses with her diploma. She was accepted to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and will pursue a career in nursing.

▲ Giovanni Ariza walks the stage during the Weslaco ISD Career & College Development Center graduation ceremony at Weslaco East High School. (Photo courtesy Weslaco ISD)

◄ Continued from page 9

Lance Walker has been hired as Denton High School’s director of bands. He comes to his new position from Ft. Worth ISD’s Paschal High, where he held the same position since 2021. He began his career in Rockdale ISD, going on to teach and direct in Mesquite ISD before transferring to Ft. Worth in 2021. He received his bachelor’s degree in music education from West Texas A&M University.

Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD

Now serving as principal of Comanche Springs Elementary School is Lorene Johnson, a 30-year educator who most recently was Hillsboro ISD’s executive director of human resources. She holds degrees from Texas A&M University, the University of New Mexico, and Dallas Baptist University.

Karin Polk has been named principal of Lake Country Elementary School, coming to her new job from Waxahachie ISD, where she spent the past four years as an elementary school principal. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southwestern Assemblies of God University.

Edcouch-Elsa ISD

Sandra Ochoa has agreed to serve as the district’s interim superintendent.

Edgewood ISD (San Antonio)

Now serving as superintendent of Edgewood ISD is Scott Tyner, who previously led Martins Mill ISD. Prior to that, he spent nine years in Tenaha ISD as a coach and principal.

Fort Worth ISD

Fort Worth ISD has announced the appointment of Tierney Tinnin as chief of communications and community partnerships. Formerly chief of communications and marketing for Cedar Hill ISD, she also worked in Irving ISD and Oklahoma City (Okla.) Public Schools.

Georgetown ISD

Angie Harris, who was Wolf Ranch Intermediate School’s interim principal, now leads Cooper Elementary School. She has been an educator for more than 20 years, also working in Arizona as a teacher, special education director, district director and principal. Her bachelor’s degree was awarded from Western Governors University and her master’s degree from Lamar University. She received her doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of West Florida.

Forbes Middle School will begin the 2025-26 school year with Davin Vogler as its principal. e 18-year educator is transferring to Forbes from Georgetown High School, where he was associate principal for the past seven years. Prior to that, he was a principal and assistant principal in Manor ISD and a teacher in Lago Vista ISD. His bachelor’s degree was awarded from Texas Tech University and his master’s degree in educational administration from Concordia University.

Granbury ISD

Jennifer Anderson is the district’s new director of special programs. She joins Granbury ISD from Muenster ISD, where she was director of special education. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington with a master’s degree in special education from Stephen F. Austin State University.

e new girls’ basketball head coach at Granbury High School is Brad Blalock, who comes to Granbury from Christoval ISD, where he served in the same capacity at Christoval High. An educator for more than two decades, he has coached in Frisco, Hallsville, Lubbock and Rockwall ISDs.

Duane Fish has taken on the role of principal of Granbury High School with over a decade of secondary principal experience in Michigan and Washington as well as Texas. Most recently, he was assistant principal of Central High School in Keller ISD. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and his master’s degree in administration from the University of Michigan at Flint.

Gunter ISD

Houston ISD

e district’s newest STEM academy has placed LaDale Lofton as principal. She was previously an assistant principal at Shearn Elementary School.

Janet Orozco, former principal of the Jones Futures Academy, is the new principal of Madison High School. She also led Ripley House Charter School and was dean of instruction at East Early College High School.

Courtney Riley-Edwards has been promoted from assistant principal of Revere Middle School to principal of White Elementary School.

Hudson ISD

A er leading Gunter ISD for four years, Scott Martindale is now superintendent of Hudson ISD.

Karnes City ISD

New superintendent Jamie Robinson brings more than two decades of experience to his new position, 10 of those as a teacher and 13 as an administrator. Most recently, he was principal of Granbury High School in Granbury ISD and, prior to that, spent nine years with Boerne ISD a er beginning his career in San Angelo ISD. He completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Angelo State University.

Killeen ISD

e Killeen ISD board of trustees has named a 25-year educator as its deputy superintendent for business and operations. Scott Hequembourg comes to the district from the private sector, where he led strategic initiatives and business development. He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and holds a master’s degree from Columbia University.

Josh Barton, who for the past three years led Gunter High School as principal, has been named the district’s interim superintendent.

Julie Sims has been named an executive director of schools. She has been principal of Meadows Elementary School since joining Killeen ISD in 2021. Prior to that, she was a principal in Midland and Lubbock ISDs. A second executive director of schools has been appointed. Keonna White comes to Killeen from Waco ISD, where she was executive director of professional

development. In addition, she was a principal liaison with ESC Region 12 and a principal in Belton ISD.

e following principal assignments have been made:

• Wendy Haider, Cli on Park Elementary School;

• Jenna McArthur, Nolanville Elementary School;

• Yanitzie Oquendo, Killeen Elementary School;

• Joshua Rainwater, Union Grove Middle School;

• Mahalia Scott, Killeen ISD Career Center;

• Kara Smith, Meadows Elementary School;

• Ronald Sursa, Cavazos Elementary School;

• Ariel Woods, Skipcha Elementary School.

Lake Travis ISD

Matthew Nelson is in place as principal of Lakeway Elementary School, bringing more than a decade of experience to his new job. He previously was principal of Austin ISD’s Rosedale School. His bachelor’s degree was awarded from the University of North Texas and his master’s degree in educational administration from Concordia University.

Former Conroe ISD superintendent Curtis Null has been con rmed as the new superintendent of Lake Travis ISD. e 23-year educator previously served as Conroe ISD’s deputy superintendent and assistant superintendent of secondary education. He is a graduate of the University of Houston, where he also received his doctorate in professional leadership, with a master’s degree from the University of Florida.

Sonya Sanzo has been promoted from principal of Reading Junior High to area superintendent. She has spent 25 of her 32 years in education with Lamar CISD. She is a graduate of Texas State University with a master’s degree from Sam Houston State University and a doctorate from the University of Houston. In addition, the following principal assignments have been made:

• She’Nee Young Baker, Travis Elementary School;

• Courtney Barrera, Roberts Middle School;

• Mandy Casey, Campbell Elementary School;

• Kimberly Ellis, Frost Elementary School;

• Kyle Little, Reading Junior High;

• Tracy Mills, omas Elementary School;

• Ashley Thompson, Long Elementary School.

Leander ISD

Tim Cornett, former dean of instruction at Rouse High School, is now principal of Stiles Middle School. He began his career in Georgia before coming to Leander as an instructional coach at Canyon Ridge Middle School. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and his master’s degree in learning technologies from the University of Texas.

Robert Gillis previously served as lead assistant principal at Leander Middle School before transferring to Liberty Hill ISD, where he was an elementary principal. He has returned to Leander ISD as principal of Leander Middle School. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Angelo State University and his master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Lewisville ISD

Morningside Elementary School’s new principal, Jennifer Barentine, most recently held the top job at Owen Elementary. She is beginning her 31st year in education, all of which have been spent in Lewisville ISD. She is a graduate of the University of North Texas with a master’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington.

e Lewisville ISD STEM Academy at Donald Elementary is now led by April Kenely. She began her career in Lakewood, Washington, before moving to Texas and joining Frisco ISD in 2009. In 2017 she took her rst administrative job, in Allen ISD. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Portland and a master’s degree from the University of Washington.

Leslye Mitchell’s newest assignment puts her in charge of Forest Vista Elementary School a er leading Highland Village Elementary for 11 years. She began her career in Abilene ISD and joined Lewisville ISD in 1998. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Abilene Christian University and her master’s degree from the University of North Texas.

McKamy Middle School’s new principal, Kristen Tufnell, is a familiar face in the district, as she has worked in Lewisville ISD

for more than a decade, serving as a teacher, assistant principal and associate principal. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social science and a master’s degree in educational leadership and policy studies.

Lubbock-Cooper ISD

Keith Bryant, who led the district for 11 years, has retired. Twenty-one of his 33 years in education were spent as a superintendent.

Now serving as district superintendent is Aaron Waldrip. e former Abernathy ISD superintendent has 18 years of experience as an educator, 14 of those in administration. His bachelor’s and master’s degrees were awarded from Texas Tech University.

Manor ISD

e new executive director of human resources, Sundal Ali, comes to Manor from Austin ISD, where she was director of organizational transformation.

Ricky Bean has been appointed executive director of special programs. Since 2018, he has been assistant director of special education. Prior to joining Manor ISD, he was Lamar CISD’s special education compliance coordinator. e district announces the appointment of Brian Reed as principal of Decker Middle School. Most recently assistant principal of O’Donnell Middle School in Houston ISD, he has been an educator for 10 years.

Now serving as principal of Manor High School is Kandice Smith. She previously worked in Del Valle ISD, where she led Del Valle High School.

McKinney ISD

Cyndy Bice has been promoted from assistant principal of Slaughter Elementary School to principal. She brings 25 years of experience to her new position, more than 10 of those as an administrator.

Lamar CISD

◄ Continued from page 27

Former Wilmeth Elementary School principal

Kristin Ellis now leads McClure Elementary. She has spent 10 years of her threedecade career as a McKinney ISD campus administrator.

Northside ISD (San Antonio)

e new district director of athletics is Conrad Hernandez He was head football coach and boys’ athletic coordinator for Stevens High School since it opened in 2005 and has been its o ensive coordinator for the past two seasons.

Suzy Ponton has been named director of state and federal programs. For the past two years she has been a leadership development specialist. Prior to that, she was a reading specialist in Bandera ISD and a principal in Ingleside ISD. She has also been an adjunct professor at Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi.

Northwest ISD (Fort Worth)

Northwest High School’s new principal, Daryl Porter, comes to his new position from White Settlement ISD, where he led Brewer High and previously served as that district’s director of career and technical education. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Southwest Baptist University, his master’s degree from Midwestern Baptist eological Seminary and his doctorate in educational leadership from Tarleton State University.

Olney ISD

Matt Caffey has been promoted from principal of Olney High School to district superintendent. He has spent the last 16 years as a Texas public school administrator, eight of those in Olney ISD. His bachelor’s and master’s degrees were awarded from Texas A&M University and his doctorate in educational leadership from Texas Tech University.

Pearsall ISD

e Pearsall ISD board of trustees has approved Jodi Spoor as superintendent. An educator with 35 years of experience, she began her career in San Antonio’s Northside ISD, going on to serve as an administrator in Harlandale and Boerne ISDs and, most recently, as San Antonio Southside ISD’s assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University, a master’s degree from Trinity University, and a doctorate from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Pflugerville ISD

A new principal has been chosen for Spring Hill Elementary School. Tiffany Greene was Windermere Elementary’s principal since 2021 and previously taught in Round Rock ISD. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Texas, where she is currently working on her doctorate.

Amanda MacAllister has been selected to serve as principal of Carpenter Elementary School. She has arrived in P ugerville from Round Rock ISD, where she was assistant principal of Deep Wood Elementary since 2014. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Texas State University.

Plains ISD

Scott Mills is the district’s new superintendent. He was previously a principal in Quanah and Vernon ISDs, a teacher in Childress ISD, Post ISD’s testing and compliance director, and Denver City ISD’s speech and theatre director. He has a master’s degree from Lubbock Christian University.

Plano ISD

Shannon Bennett, now director of human resources, brings more than two decades of experience to his new position. He was assistant superintendent of Henderson ISD and most recently served as director of student services in CypressFairbanks ISD.

e district’s new athletic director, Kendall Miller, comes to Plano from Frisco ISD, where he was Emerson High School’s athletic coordinator. Prior to that, he spent nine years as head football coach and campus athletic coordinator at Garland ISD’s Lakeview Centennial High. He is a graduate of Tarleton State University.

e following principal assignments have also been made:

• Antreshawn Buhl, Jackson Elementary School;

• Karma Cunningham, Aldridge Elementary School;

• Kassandra Duncan, Hendrick Middle School;

• Josh Howard, Academy High School;

• Andy Jacob, Shepton High School;

• Jean Laswell, Plano ISD Career and Technical Education Center;

• Noline Martin, Barron Elementary School.

San Angelo ISD

Claudia Becerra has accepted the position of director of school safety and student services. She is the former principal of the Carver Learning Center and the alternatives coordinator at the PAYS Alternative Campus.

e new principal of Lamar Elementary School, Ashley Bishop, served as campus assistant principal since 2022. Initially a teacher in San Antonio, she came to San Angelo as a team leader and instructional coach at Goliad Elementary. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Angelo State University.

Schulenburg ISD

Lee Hafley has accepted the position of superintendent of Schulenburg ISD, bringing 29 years of experience to his new job. Most recently Flatonia ISD’s secondary principal, he previously led campuses in Snook, orndale and Milano ISDs. He holds a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Mary Hardin Baylor.

Seguin ISD

e newly appointed interim superintendent is Elizabeth Banks, who was the district’s chief nancial o cer.

Sherman ISD

Santos Flores, who was principal of Neblett Elementary from 2020 to 2023, has returned to once again lead the school. For the past two years, he has served in the top position at Sherman Middle School.

Former Sory Elementary School assistant principal Lori Hartman will step into the role of campus principal this fall. Before working at Sory, she was Washington Elementary’s music teacher for 10 years. She received her bachelor’s degree from Millikin University and her master’s degree in school administration from McKendree University.

Ali Holderby, former assistant principal of Fairview Elementary, has been promoted to principal of Washington Elementary School. She is a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of North Texas.

Sherman ISD’s new special populations compliance coordinator is Karrissa Norris

Sherman High School’s new principal, Kristen Perry, has joined the district from Plano and Frisco ISDs, where she gained 30 years of education experience. She most recently was associate principal of Frisco ISD’s Heritage High School.

Spring ISD

e district’s interim superintendent, Kregg Cuellar, spent the past three years as chief of academics and school leadership. Prior to joining Spring ISD, he was a deputy superintendent in Midland ISD, Oregon’s Portland Public Schools and Maryland’s Baltimore County Public Schools.

Texarkana ISD

Bass Deese has been hired as director of bands for Texas High School, his alma mater. He served in the same capacity in Killeen ISD’s Chaparral High School and Texarkana ISD’s Pleasant Grove High. He earned his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in music from the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

Throckmorton Collegiate ISD

e district’s new superintendent is Nick Heupel, who for the past seven years worked in May ISD, rst as secondary principal and then as superintendent. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Tarleton State University.

Victoria ISD

Cade Middle School’s new principal, Elizabeth Chandler, has spent 14 of her 19-year education career in Victoria ISD. She has been with Schorlemmer Elementary for the past 14 years, initially as assistant principal and then principal.

Victoria ISD’s new assistant superintendent of administrative services is Justin Gabrysch, who began his career with the district in 2006 as a teacher and coach. He was most recently principal of Victoria East High School. Former director of state and federal programs Leigh Ann Lynch is now principal of Dudley Elementary School. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio and her master’s degree from the University of Houston at Victoria.

Waco ISD

Ronnita Carridine is the district’s new assistant superintendent of human resources. She brings almost three decades of experience to her new position, serving most recently as executive director of human resources. Prior to joining Waco ISD, she worked as a principal in Fort Worth ISD for 20 years. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Temple University, her master’s degree from Texas Christian University, and her doctorate from North Central eological Seminary. ◄

July

July 8-9

TASBO Workshop: Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue

TASBO offices, Austin

For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $550; nonmembers, $625.

July 9

TSPRA Regional Meeting, San Antonio area

ESC 20, San Antonio

For more info, (512) 474-9107. www.tspra.org

July 14-16

TCASE Interactive Conference Marriott Hotel, Austin

For more info, (512) 474-4492 or (888) 433-4492. www.tcase.org

Cost: Members, $545; nonmembers, $620.

July 14-17

TGCA Summer Clinic Convention Center, Arlington

For more info, (512) 708-1333. www.austintgca.com

July 15

TASB Training: Asbestos Designated Person

TASB offices, Austin

For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasbo.org

TASBO Webinar: District Succession Planning for the CFO/ Business Manager Online

For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $85; nonmembers, $160.

July 15-17

TASBO Workshop: Fundamentals of School Business Management Online

For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $225; nonmembers, $285.

July 16

TASB Workshop: Integrated Pest Management

TASB offices, Austin

For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org

TASBO Workshop: Implementing HACCP Principles

ESC 20, San Antonio

For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $210; nonmembers, $285.

July 16-18

TASPA Summer Conference

Worthington Renaissance Hotel, Fort Worth

For more info, (512) 494-9353. www.taspa.org

Cost: Regular registration (May 31-June 27): Members, $325; nonmembers, $450; retired, $165. Late registration (June 28-July 11): Members, $335; nonmembers, $460; retired, $175. Onsite registration: Members, $345; nonmembers, $470; retired, $185.

July 17

TASB Training: Indoor Air Quality Person

TASB offices, Austin

For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org

July 18

TASB Post-Legislative Seminar for the Texas Council of School Attorneys

TASB offices, Austin

For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org

July 18-20

Texas PTA LAUNCH Conference

Hilton Anatole, Dallas

For more info, (512) 320-9801. www.txpta.org

July 20-22

THSCA Annual Coaching School and Convention Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio

For more info, (512) 391-3741. www.thsca.com

Cost: Until July 1, $100; onsite registration, $115.

July 23

TASBO Workshop: Business Manager Fundamentals In-person at TASBO offices, Austin, or remote For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $235; nonmembers, $310.

July 23-24

TASA First-Time Superintendents Academy (session 1 of 4)

Marriott Austin North, Round Rock

For more info, (512) 477-6361. www.tasanet.org

Cost: Members, $245 per session; nonmembers, $295 per session.

July 24

TASBO Workshop: Transforming Accounts Payable Online

For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $85; nonmembers, $160.

TGCA Satellite Sports Clinic Franklin High School, El Paso

For more info, (512) 708-1333. www.austintgca.com

July 29

TASBO Workshop: Overview of Activity Funds Online

For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $85; nonmembers, $160.

July 31

TASBO Workshop: Tax Rate Adoption

Live-streamed or presented to in-person audiences in ESC 1, Edinburg; ESC 2, Corpus Christi; ESC 4, Houston; ESC 11, White Settlement; ESC 17, Lubbock For more info, (512) 462-1711.

Cost: Members, $175; nonmembers, $250.

AUGUST

August 1

TASB Post-Legislative Seminar for Community Colleges and Their Attorneys

TASB offices, Austin

For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org

August 7

TSPRA Regional Meeting, Gulf Coast area

Hidalgo ISD, Hidalgo

For more info, (512) 474-9107. www.tspra.org

August 19

TASBO Activity Funds Workshop: Fundraiser Practices Online

For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $85; nonmembers, $160.

August 21

TASBO Activity Funds Workshop: Cash Management Online

For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $85; nonmembers, $160.

TASBO Activity Funds Workshop: Contactless Payments Online

For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $85; nonmembers, $160.

August 26

TASBO PEIMS Proficiency Workshop: Mastering your Role as a PEIMS Coordinator Online

For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $235; nonmembers, $310.

August 28

TASBO Activity Funds Workshop: Texas Sales Tax Online

For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $85; nonmembers, $160.

SEPTEMBER

September 3-4

TASA First-Time Superintendents Academy (session 2 of 4)

Marriott Austin North, Round Rock

For more info, (512) 477-6361. www.tasanet.org

Cost: Members, $245 per session; nonmembers, $295 per session.

September 10-14

Leadership TASB Class of 2026, session 1

Brown Convention Center, Houston (during txEDCON25)

For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org

September 11-14

TASA/TASB txEDCON25

Brown Convention Center, Houston

For more info, (512) 467-0222. https://tasa.tasb.org/

Cost: Early registration (July 22-Sept. 1): TASA and TASB members, $485; full boardsuperintendent team, $385; nonmembers, $585; students, $210. Standard registration (Sept. 2-10): TASA and TASB members, $535; full boardsuperintendent team, $435; nonmembers, $635; students, $260. Onsite registration: TASA and TASB members, $585; full board-superintendent team, $485; nonmembers, $685; students, $310.

September 16

TASBO Activity Funds Workshop: Mitigating Fraud Online

For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $85; nonmembers, $160.

September 16-17

TASA/N2 Learning Principals’ Institute (session 1 of 6)

Tomball ISD, Tomball

For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org

Cost: $6,000 for all six sessions.

TASA/N2 Learning Executive Leadership Institute (session 1 of 6)

Tomball ISD, Tomball

For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org

Cost: $4,500 for all four sessions.

September 18

ED311 Back to School Workshop

ESC 16, Amarillo

For more info, (512) 478-2113. www.ed311.com

Cost: $190; workbook, $25.

TASBO Activity Funds Workshop: Continuous Auditing Online

For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $85; nonmembers, $160.

TASBO CSRM Workshop: Funding School Risks

TASBO offices, Austin

For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members and nonmembers, $250.

TASBO Workshop: Questions to Ask Before Approving the 6-Week Attendance Report Online

For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $85; nonmembers, $160.

September 23

TASBO Workshop: PEIMS Fundamentals

Courtyard Dallas, Allen

For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $235; nonmembers, $310.

September 24

ED311 Back to School Workshop ESC 10, Richardson

For more info, (512) 478-2113. www.ed311.com

Cost: $190; workbook, $25.

September 24-25

TASBO PEIMS Academy

Courtyard Dallas, Allen For more info, (512) 462-1711.

Cost: Members, $335; nonmembers, $410.

September 25

ED311 Back to School Workshop Conference Center, Hurst

For more info, (512) 478-2113. www.ed311.com

Cost: $190; workbook, $25.

September 30

TASBO Activity Funds Workshop: Procedures and Best Practices Online

For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $85; nonmembers, $160.

TASA Leading with Courage Leadership & Executive Coaching Series

Online

For more info, (512) 477-6361. www.tasanet.org

Cost: Packages ranging from $295 to $1,295 (see website)

OCTOBER

October 1

ED311 Back to School Workshop ESC 7, Kilgore

For more info, (512) 478-2113. www.ed311.com

Cost: $190; workbook, $25.

October 1-2

TASA Texas Public Accountability Consortium (session 1 of 2)

Royse City ISD, Royse City For more info, (512) 477-6361. www.tasanet.org

October 1-4

TETA TheatreFest

Loews Hotel, Arlington No phone number provided www.tetatx.com

October 5-6

THSADA Fall Forum

Northside ISD, San Antonio For more info, (832) 240-6550. www.thsada.com

October 6-7

TASPA Fall Support Staff Conference

Worthington Renaissance Hotel, Fort Worth For more info, (512) 494-9353. www.taspa.org

Cost: Early registration (through Sept. 13): Members, $220; nonmembers, $255; retired, $95. Regular registration (Sept. 14-20): Members, $240; nonmembers, $275; retired, $115. Late registration (Sept. 21-Oct. 2): Members, $255; nonmembers, $290; retired, $130. Onsite registration: Members, $270; nonmembers, $305; retired, $145.

October 7

TASA/N2 Learning Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, Northwest Dallas area cohort (session 1 of 6)

Northwest ISD, Justin For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org

Cost: $1,000 for all six sessions.

TASA/N2 Learning Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, North Houston area cohort (session 1 of 6)

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, Cypress For more info, (972) 515-2268.

www.n2learning.org

Cost: $1,000 for all six sessions.

October 7-9

TASA/CMSi Curriculum Management Audit Training, Level 1

Online

For more info, (512) 477-6361. www.tasanet.org

Cost: Members, $800; nonmembers, $900.

October 8

ED311 Back to School Workshop Multipurpose Center, Klein For more info, (512) 478-2113. www.ed311

Cost: $190; workbook, $25.

TASA/N2 Learning Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, San Antonio area cohort (session 1 of 6)

Northside ISD, San Antonio For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org

Cost: $1,000 for all six sessions.

October 8-9

TASBO Conference: Synergy Texas Computer Education Association offices, Austin For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members and nonmembers, $335.

October 9

TASBO Activity Funds Workshop: Records Retention Online

For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

October 13

ED311 Back to School Workshop Norris Conference Center, San Antonio

For more info, (512) 478-2113. www.ed311.com

Cost: $190; workbook, $25.

October 13-14

TASB HR Academy

TASB offices, Austin

For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org

October 15

TASA/N2 Learning Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, East Texas cohort (session 1 of 6) Tyler ISD, Tyler For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org

Cost: $1,000 for all six sessions.

October 15-17

TACS Annual Advocacy Conference AC Hotel, Waco

For more info, (512) 440-8227. www.tacsnet.org

October 16

TASA/N2 Learning Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, Austin area cohort (session 1 of 6) Georgetown ISD, Georgetown For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org

Cost: $1,000 for all six sessions.

TASA/N2 Learning Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, Dallas area cohort (session 1 of 6) Royse City ISD, Royse City For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org

Cost: $1,000 for all six sessions.

TASA Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, South Houston area cohort (session 1 of 6)

Clear Creek ISD, League City

For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org

Cost: $1,000 for all six sessions.

TASBO FMLA Workshop: Basics for Supervisors

Online

For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $85; nonmembers, $160.

October 21-22

TASA/N2 Learning Principals’ Institute (session 2 of 6)

Frisco ISD, Frisco

For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org

Cost: $6,000 for all six sessions.

October 21-23

TASA/CMSi Curriculum Management Audit Training, Level 1

TASA Headquarters, Austin

For more info, (512) 477-6361. www.tasanet.org

Cost: Members, $800; nonmembers, $900.

October 22-24

TASB Conference for Administrative Professionals and Board Book Training

TASB offices, Austin

For more info, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272. www.tasb.org

October 28

TASBO FMLA Workshop: Advanced Topics Online

For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $85; nonmembers, $160.

TASBO Workshop: Construction Auditing and Closeouts Online

For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $235; nonmembers, $310.

TASBO Workshop: Payroll Fundamentals

Courtyard Austin, Pflugerville

For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $235; nonmembers, $310.

TASBO Workshop: Purchasing Fundamentals

Courtyard Austin, Pflugerville For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $235; nonmembers, $310.

October 28-30

TASA Future-Ready Superintendents Leadership Network (session 1 of 3)

Wichita Falls ISD, Wichita Falls For more info, (512) 477-6361. www.tasanet.org

October 29

TASA Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, Virtual cohort (session 1 of 6) Online

For more info, (972) 515-2268. www.n2learning.org

Cost: $1,000 for all six sessions.

October 29-30

TASBO Payroll Academy

Courtyard Austin, Pflugerville For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $335; nonmembers, $410.

TASBO Purchasing Academy

Courtyard Austin, Pflugerville For more info, (512) 462-1711. www.tasbo.org

Cost: Members, $335; nonmembers, $410. ◄

your campus is located in a

zone, installing the right roofing system is one of the best protections against hail-related damage. Let us help you select the right roofing system for your hail-prone zone.

Iby Riney Jordan

believe that one of the greatest detriments to a person’s ability to achieve new goals is that of fear. Oh, my goodness! How many lives have been altered because of one’s fear?

Fear has personally been something with which I have wrestled all my life. I’ve learned, however, that tackling a problem is never as bad as I might have imagined.

One of our granddaughters, Allie, has recently been taking driver’s education. Her fear of driving has resulted in anxiety, confusion, and a somewhat defeated spirit even before she began.

She recently said, “ ere are so many rules. I cannot keep up with them. I cannot possibly remember everything I’m supposed to do when I drive.”

For example, the other day, her grandfather was riding with her and she had on her hazard lights.

“Honey,” he asked, “why have you turned on your hazard lights?” to which she replied, “well, I remember the teacher talking about hazard lights, and he said something about when we feel that we are in danger, turn them on. I’m scared to death, so I turned them on to let everyone know.”

From talking to teachers and other educators, I know that many are fearful right now of the concept of school vouchers. Like you, I have many questions, too. But there is one thing of which I am certain. is will not be the demise of the public school system. So o en I hear that it is going to shut down our public schools. I do not believe that for one second.

Of course, initially, a large number of parents will opt for the voucher system.

Some educators and administrators might lose their jobs, but no school district is going to dismiss a master teacher, or an e ective administrator, who works diligently and makes a positive di erence for the students they serve.

In the meantime, do your best! Commit to presenting the best lessons possible. Lead with authority, determination, and dedication. I encourage you to make the coming school year your most productive year ever! Above all, do not give in to fear and make hasty decisions based upon what you perceive to be a looming disaster. Like so many other things that have changed in the education process over the years, we will all adjust to these changes and perhaps make a more productive public school system than ever before.

Fear. It’s such a debilitating factor. Because of fear, I cannot swim to this day. Because of fear, I said “no” to opportunities that would have been bene cial to me and my family. Because of fear, there were times when I stood back instead of stepping up to the plate.

If we allow it, our minds can conjure up the worst possible things that can happen in any situation. Don’t let this happen to you. Be courageous. Stay positive. Encourage one another.

No doubt we have all heard the quote from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who said, “ e only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

What a

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e in ite ou to e art of A A Join/renew for 2025-26 starting in August 2025!