TEXAS, USA — There has been a lot of change in educational leadership recently, and North Texas is a prime example of such.
From November 2021 through February 2022, 11 superintendents from 11 local school districts announced they would be leaving, resigning or retiring from their leadership positions.
While some of these positions in the area are still open, the majority of these leadership positions have been filled.
Here's a closer look at each district's new superintendent.
Arlington ISD
The Arlington ISD Board of Trustees Dec. 12 named Dr. Matt Smith from Belton ISD as the new lone finalist for superintendent.
Smith has served as superintendent in Belton ISD since January 2020.
Prior to his time in Belton ISD, Smith served as served as Chief of Staff and Chief Academic Officer in Leander ISD. Throughout his career, he’s also served as principal, executive director of secondary education, and chief academic officer.
"Arlington ISD has a storied history in Texas public schools, and I am truly humbled and grateful that the Board of Trustees welcomed me to the team. With students, staff, parents, and the community, we will build on Arlington ISD's foundation of excellence for a thriving future,” Smith said. “Together, with this wonderful team, we will do amazing things for our students, and I cannot wait to get started."
Smith holds a doctorate in School Leadership from Concordia University - Chicago, a master's degree in education administration and supervision from Arizona State University, and a bachelor's degree from Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk, Virginia.
Once the required 21-day waiting period is over, the board will vote to offer a contract to Smith to become superintendent.
Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD
On Feb. 21, 2023, the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to name Wendy Eldredge as the single finalist to become the district's next superintendent.
The finalist, Wendy Eldredge, has served as Crandall ISD's superintendent since 2019 and has worked in education for more than 30 years.
After a finalist is named, state law requires a 21-day waiting period before they can be officially hired as superintendent.
"Dr. Eldredge brings tremendous experience, dedication, and heart to this role," said CFB Board of Trustees President Dr. Les Black in a statement. “Our community and staff told us they wanted an educational leader who could build a trusting culture, embrace diversity, attract and retain teachers, and of course produce results for students. We are elated that we have found that educational leader in Dr. Wendy Eldredge. We cannot wait to welcome her into our learning community.”
CFBISD has been searching for a new superintendent since December 2022 and received applications nationwide.
“The Board would also like to publicly thank Mr. Brian Moersch for his service as an interim superintendent,” Black added. “His broad experience, deep knowledge and calm leadership were critical in guiding our district through this difficult period of transition and ensuring that we continued to move forward in the service of our mission. He is a major asset for CFBISD and the board is grateful for his dedicated service.”
Prior to serving Crandall ISD, Eldredge also served as assistant superintendent of safety & operations at Garland ISD, and as area director of the South Garland K-12 feeder pattern, encompassing 8,200 students at 10 campuses.
Eldredge earned a doctorate of curriculum & instruction from Texas A&M-Commerce, along with her superintendent's certificate. She also has a master's degree in educational administration from Kansas State University.
Accomplishments while serving Crandall ISD include passing a $365 million bond election in May 2022, which included a successful proposition for a new fine arts center.
Eldredge was also the first-ever president of the Dallas-area Region 10 Chapter of the Texas Council of Women School Executives, and an elected member of the Texas UIL Legislative Council.
Cleburne ISD
On June 28, 2023, Cleburne ISD's board named Burleson ISD Chief of Schools Coby Kirkpatrick as the lone finalist to be the next superintendent following a unanimous vote during a school board meeting.
In compliance with state law, a 21-day waiting period will now go into effect before the Trustees conduct a final vote to employ Kirkpatrick as superintendent.
“This 21-day waiting period will give our stakeholders time to learn more about Dr. Kirkpatrick, while giving him the opportunity to learn more about Cleburne schools and our community,” School Board President Elizabeth Childress said in a press release. “We believe he has the qualities, skills and strengths our staff, parents and community want in our school district leader, based on the input we received from them.”
Kirkpatrick said he counts the school board’s decision to name him a lone finalist for superintendent among his most memorable moments.
“This news ignited a level of excitement within me that I compare to the joy I felt on my wedding day, as well as the birth of my two children,” Kirkpatrick said in the district's press release. “I look forward to joining CISD’s team, where we will work together to bring student success to even greater heights.”
Kirkpatrick joined Burleson ISD’s administrative staff just prior to the start of the 2014-2015 school year as director of Human Resources. One year later, he was named executive director of Human Resources and Student Services.
“He is bringing a broad range of administrative experience at both the campus and district levels,” Childress also said in the press release. “In his nine years with Burleson ISD, most recently as Chief of Schools, he has been involved in all aspects of district operations in his work with students and staff.”
Kirkpatrick began his career in 1990 as an athletic trainer and teacher in Fort Worth ISD, where he served through 1998.
He spent 16 years with White Settlement ISD, as an athletic trainer and teacher for five years before moving into campus administration as an assistant principal. In his last seven years in the district, he served as an elementary school principal.
“In our interviews with him, his enthusiasm and excitement at the possibility of becoming our next superintendent were very evident—and that made a big difference to us," Childress said. "He has a true passion for kids—meeting them where they are and doing all he can in moving them forward. Dr. Kirkpatrick wants to be the superintendent of Cleburne ISD—and he feels Cleburne would be a great place to call home.”
Kirkpatrick holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Christian University. His Master’s in Education and Doctorate of Educational Leadership degrees are from Tarleton State University.
“This is one of the most important decisions to be made by a school board,” Childress said. “We have devoted a tremendous amount of time, thought, discussion—and prayer—in seeking the right person to be our next superintendent. We are very pleased to announce Dr. Kirkpatrick as our lone finalist.”
Dallas ISD
During a closed session on May 18, 2022, board members named Dr. Stephanie Elizalde as the lone finalist to become the district's next superintendent.
A native Texan, Elizalde was previously the superintendent of Austin ISD. She served as Chief of School Leadership for Dallas ISD before moving onto Austin ISD.
Elizalde first joined Dallas ISD in 2011 as Director of Mathematics in the division of Teaching and Learning.
Throughout her education career, Elizalde has served students as a teacher, a principal, an assistant superintendent and other roles. Along with Dallas ISD and Austin ISD, she has also worked in Southwest ISD and San Antonio ISD.
Elizalde was named one of four Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Hispanics in Education in 2014. The Dallas Morning News also named her a "Point Person" for her work in the community in 2016.
Elizalde has been awarded the UT-Austin Dr. Nolan Estes Leadership Ascension Award four times, most recently in 2017.
Elizalde is a third-generation public school educator, following in her grandmother’s and father’s footsteps.
Denison ISD
On Feb. 16, 2022, the Denison Board of Trustees unanimously approved to name David Kirkbride as the lone finalist as the district's superintendent.
Kirkbride had spent 16 years with Denison ISD, which included nine years as the principal of Terrell Elementary School and then seven years as the district's Assistant Superintendent for Administration.
Before moving to Denison, Kirkbride taught in Memphis, Tenn.
DeSoto ISD
On April 21, 2022, the district's Board of Trustees named Dr. Usamah Rodgers as the lone finalist for the superintendent position. Trustees voted to approve the decision at a special called meeting held on April 20, 2022.
Rodgers started in the education industry as a teacher before becoming Dean of Instruction, Assistant Principal and Campus Principal.
She later transitioned to executive leadership roles as an executive director and, most recently, as the Deputy Chief of Strategic Initiatives in Dallas ISD, according to Desoto ISD.
Fort Worth ISD
On Sept. 20, 2022, Members of the Fort Worth ISD school board voted unanimously to name Dr. Angélica Ramsey as its superintendent.
Ramsey signed a three-year contract with the district, making her the district’s 21st superintendent.
Coming to Fort Worth from Midland, Ramsey served as superintendent of Midland ISD. Prior to that, she spent nearly five years as superintendent at the Pleasant Valley School District in California.
Ramsey describes herself as an inclusive and deliberative CEO who places students first and is results oriented.
Ramsey's goal is to elevate Fort Worth ISD from a B-rated district to an A-rated one.
Ramsey's three-year contract ends Aug. 31, 2025. She'll earn an annual base salary of $335,000.
Ramsey told WFAA her immediate top priorities are:
- Identifying areas that need improvement
- Reviewing the district's current plan
- Setting short and long-term academic goals
- Getting the district’s finances in order
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD
On Oct. 24, 2022, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD announced deputy superintendent Dr. Brad Schnautz would become the interim superintendent.
The district's school board unanimously approved Schnautz during a meeting.
"It's a time for us to serve, it's a time for us to support," Schnautz said at the meeting. "More importantly, I want to provide stability."
In August 2022, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD faced both backlash and praise after its board banned the teaching of critical race theory, implementing a review of library books and not requiring or encouraging the use of pronouns that are not aligned with the gender assigned at birth.
The school district also cut ties with the Scholastic Book Fair because the company didn’t provide a full list of every book it would sell at the fair.
On Feb. 27, 2023, the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to name Schnautz the lone finalist as the district's superintendent.
“It’s been an honor to have served this district for nearly six years now and to have had the opportunity to play a role in helping GCISD realize gains and successes in achievement throughout our organization,” Schnautz said. “GCISD is exceptional because of its people. From our dedicated staff throughout our district to our amazingly talented students, and from our supportive and invested families to our strong partnerships with our community members, we will continue to provide the education and learning experiences that will allow our students to be leaders in their pursuits beyond GCISD. I’m blessed and excited to guide our district to further success in the future.”
With more than 20 years of experience in education, Schnautz has served in various roles, including math teacher and coach in Bryan ISD, Conroe ISD, and Magnolia ISD before becoming a campus administrator in 2008. He also has experience as a high school assistant principal, junior high school principal, and high school principal in Magnolia ISD. In 2015, Dr. Schnautz was selected as superintendent for Lexington ISD, where he led the district until his departure from GCISD.
“He possesses the qualifications and integrity necessary to lead GCISD into a bright future,” GCISD Board President Casey Ford said. “His previous experience as a superintendent in another district as well as his time as our deputy superintendent and interim superintendent make him uniquely suited to fulfill this role. He has always shown a great understanding of our community values and has a work ethic that is second to none. There’s no doubt he will continue to Build Excellent Schools Together and foster environments where academic potentials are achieved. We want to congratulate Dr. Schnautz and are proud to introduce him as our new GCISD Superintendent.”
Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD
In March 2022, the district released an announcement saying that the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent Board of Trustees named Joseph Harrington as the lone finalist for the district's superintendent position.
Harrington has spent 35 years in education. He previously served as the district's Deputy Superintendent for Educational Operations and previously served as the school district’s Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Administration.
Before he joined Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD in 2013, Harrington taught science and high school biology, and coached students for 16 years in three states. He eventually became an assistant principal and principal in Northwest ISD and Grapevine-Colleyville ISD.
Harrington completed his doctorate in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University in 2011. Harrington and Jenny, his wife of 33 years, live in Euless and attend Ash Lane Methodist Church.
Kaufman ISD
On April 28, 2023, Kaufman Independent School District named Dr. Joshua Garcia as the lone finalist for superintendent, according to district leaders. Garcia was currently the superintendent of Rockport-Fulton ISD in Rockport, Texas, where Kaufman ISD said he led the district through a long-range facilities master planning process that resulted in the passage of a $66 million facilities bond, increased the district's fund balance, and expanded opportunities for students.
Garcia has been a professional educator for 24 years with 19 years spent in leadership roles at three levels—elementary, middle school, and high school. Garcia also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Middle Tennessee State University, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Education from The University of Texas at Arlington, and a Doctor of Education from Dallas Baptist University.
"It is exciting to welcome a new leader that is committed to building on the unique strengths of the Kaufman ISD and the greater Kaufman community," Byron Gregg said, president of the Kaufman ISD Board.
Garcia is married to Olga Garcia, a bilingual pre-kindergarten teacher. They are parents to three children: Caleb Garcia, Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army; Michaela Garcia, nursing student at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi; and Kristen Garcia, a marketing major at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Keller ISD
On Nov. 27, 2023, Keller ISD's board announced Tracy Johnson as the lone finalist for the district's open superintendent position.
Johnson is the district's chief human resources officer, a role she's held since 2019, according to the district.
“Dr. Johnson is the best choice for Keller ISD because she is deeply rooted in our community,” said Dr. Charles Randklev, KISD Board of Trustees President. “She knows our students, educators, and parents, which means she understands how to support our kids and establish strong learning environments for them to succeed. She is committed to academic excellence; and, under her guidance, Keller ISD will remain intentionally exceptional and is poised for continued innovation and success.”
Lewisville ISD
On Jan. 25, 2022, the Lewisville ISD Board of Trustees announced it had voted unanimously to name Lori Rapp as the lone finalist for superintendent.
Rapp most recently served as Deputy Superintendent for Lewisville ISD. She also worked for the district in the roles of Chief Learning and Teaching officer, Executive Director of Learning Design and Support, Director of PreK-12 Curriculum, and classroom teacher.
All of Rapp's 26-year career in education has been in Lewisville ISD.
During her tenure in Lewisville ISD administration, Rapp helped establish the district's Programs of Choice, which includes the LISD STEM Academy at the elementary and middle school levels, the Collegiate Academy at TCHS, world language programs, the tuition-based Discovery Academy.
McKinney ISD
On Feb. 28, 2023, McKinney ISD's board of trustees announced their new superintendent would be Shawn Pratt, who is currently the district's assistant superintendent of student activities, health and safety.
In its announcement, the district said Pratt has 30 years of experience in education and all of it was with McKinney ISD.
He started his career as a student teacher in 1992 and became a teacher and athletic coordinator at Slaughter Middle School in 1993.
The district said he would eventually serve as McKinney North's first head football coach when the school opened in 2000. After working there for nine years, he became the district's athletics director.
According to the district, Pratt is credited with starting the McKinney ISD Athletics Hall of Honor Award in 2013 to recognize student athletes, coaches and more.
“I am deeply honored and incredibly grateful to serve the McKinney ISD community as superintendent,” Pratt said in a statement. “McKinney has been my home since 1992 when I began my student teaching at McKinney High School and Faubion Middle School. My wife and I have raised our three children here, and all three have benefited from an outstanding educational experience. MISD has exceptional students, teachers, administrators and board members, and I consider it a true privilege to lead the MISD family.”
Mesquite ISD
On Feb. 15, 2022, the Mesquite Independent School District announced deputy superintendent Ángel Rivera as the lone finalist for the district's top job.
His first official day as superintendent was March 8, 2022.
Rivera, an Army veteran, grew up in Boston and Puerto Rico before joining the military in 1992. After seven years of service, he moved to the Houston area, where he taught middle school science in the Pasadena Independent School District.
Rivera later moved into administration, as a principal and then as an area director for the Garland Independent School District. In 2018, he came to Mesquite as the district's Chief of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships.
Rivera has a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, a master's degree from the University of St. Thomas and a doctorate of education from Stephen F. Austin State University.
Northwest ISD
On March 29, 2022, the Northwest ISD's board said it had unanimously approved Dr. David Hicks as the lone finalist to become the district’s next superintendent.
Hicks previously worked for Sherman Independent School District, which he led for the last six years. Prior to that role, he served as the area superintendent overseeing all secondary schools at Denton ISD.
However, on Sept. 9, 2022, Northwest ISD leaders announced that Hicks had died following a medical emergency.
As of the announcement in September, not much is known about the circumstances surrounding Hicks' death beyond what the district said.
On Sept. 15, 2022, Northwest ISD named Michael Griffin the new acting superintendent following Hicks' unexpected death.
Griffin was the district's assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction and was named the new acting superintendent by the district's board of trustees during a special meeting.
On Dec. 14, 2022, Northwest ISD named Mark Foust as the lone finalist for superintendent.
Foust comes to Northwest ISD after serving as Kerrville ISD's superintendent for the past six years. Northwest ISD officials said in a press release that in Foust's tenure as Kerrville ISD superintendent, the district implemented new STEM instructional programs, expanded career and technical education opportunities, and passed a significant bond program to revitalize schools.
The release also said Kerrville ISD earned distinction as an HEB Excellence in Education Small District State Finalist and a top-10 UIL Lone Star Cup finisher during Foust's tenure.
Richardson ISD
On July 18, 2022, the district announced that current interim superintendent Tabitha Branum was the lone finalist for the open position.
According to the district, Branum began her classroom teaching career at Coppell ISD in 1997 and served as an assistant principal during her career.
The district said she joined Richardson ISD as an assistant superintendent of secondary instruction and operations in 2014. She then became deputy superintendent and was named interim superintendent in December 2021 after Stone's resignation.
