Who’s News Abilene ISD Jay Ashby, former associate
principal of Cooper High School, will lead the district’s new LIFT (Leadership and Innovation in Future Technologies) Center when it opens in August. He began his career in 2011 as a world geography teacher at Abilene High School. Abilene High School principal Michael Garcia stepped down from that role at the end of May to accept the position of Abilene ISD’s executive director of student services. He began his career in the district 27 years ago as a computer literacy teacher and coach at Franklin Middle School and served as principal of Martinez and Long elementary schools. Former Reagan Elementary School principal Leslye Roberts now leads Taylor Elementary School as principal. An educator for 14 years, nine of those in Abilene ISD, she previously worked in Santo ISD. In Abilene ISD, she has been a teacher, instructional coordinator and assistant principal. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Lubbock Christian University. Keri Thornburg, former
principal of Taylor Elementary School, has been promoted to executive director of curriculum and instruction. An employee of the district since 1995, she previously worked as a teacher and instructional coordinator at Bowie, Bonham and Lee elementary schools and as principal of Bassetti Elementary. She is a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University with a master’s degree in education from Abilene Christian University.
Allen ISD Allen High School head coach Terry Gambill has retired from the position he held since 2016. Prior to that, he was head coach at Waco ISD’s Midway High School. After 46 years with the district, athletic director Steve Williams will retire in June. He began his career as a teacher and football and basketball coach, going on to serve as head boys’ basketball coach and assistant athletic director before beginning his most recent role in 2000.
Alto ISD Alto High School alumnus Lance Gamble has returned to his hometown as the district’s athletic director. He most recently served as defense coordinator for Lufkin ISD. Prior to that assignment, he was head coach and athletic director at Beckville ISD.
Argyle ISD The district’s director of special education, a newly created department and position, is Mark Ruggles. He comes to Argyle from Lake Dallas ISD, where he worked since 2003, serving as director of special education since 2012. He is a graduate of Centenary College with a master’s degree in counseling from the University of North Texas and a doctorate in school psychology from Texas Woman’s University.
Brenham ISD The Brenham ISD board of trustees announces the appointment of Kasandra Davis as child nutrition director. She brings 10 years of experience in the school food service industry to her new position.
Canutillo ISD (El Paso) Canutillo ISD’s chief human resources officer, Martha Carrasco, has been elected president of the Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators (TASPA). A TASPA committee member for seven years, she previously served as secretary, then vicepresident.
Carroll ISD After 25 years as an educator, the past five as principal of Walnut Grove Elementary School, Mike Landers will retire at the end of the school year. His 16 years with Carroll ISD included service as assistant principal of Johnson Elementary.
Center ISD Center High School’s new principal is Amanda Clark, who joins the district from Hallsville ISD, where she spent the past four years as an assistant principal. The 21year educator has also served in Marshall, Jefferson and Dallas ISDs. Former Center Middle School principal Jake Henson is now Center ISD’s assistant superintendent for student services. He began his career in the district in 2000
as a middle school teacher and coach, transitioning to administration in 2008 as an assistant and then associate principal at Center High School. He is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University with a master’s degree in educational leadership from the same institution. Valerie Moore has been hired as chief financial officer. She began her career 17 years ago in Timpson ISD, going on to work in Quitman ISD as an accounts payable clerk and assistant to the business manager. She holds a degree in business administration from Stephen F. Austin State University.
Conroe ISD Conroe ISD will implement a virtual academy for the 2021-22 school year, and William Kelly has been chosen as its principal. Until the new academy opens, he will continue to serve as Caney Creek High School’s associate principal for curriculum.
Coppell ISD New director of child nutrition Eric Lozano is a 25-year veteran of the food service industry with 10 years of experience in school nutrition. He previously worked in Midlothian and Grapevine-Colleyville ISDs and was assistant director of child nutrition in Plano ISD.
Crockett ISD Alton Dixon has accepted the position of head football coach and athletic director. He previously coached in Lufkin and Dallas ISDs and was defensive coordinator at Wylie ISD’s Wylie East High School.
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD A new head coach and offensive coordinator is in place for Cypress Springs High School. Oji Fagan comes to CFISD from Fort Bend ISD, where he worked for the past 10 years, most recently as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. Fernando Zambrano, assistant
director of transportation and human resources, was honored in May with the 2021 Anti-Defamation League’s Walter Kase Teacher Excellence Award. The award recognizes educators’ outstanding efforts to create an atmosphere in schools that reject prejudice and regard diversity as strength.
> See Who’s News, page 9 Texas School Business MAY / JUNE 2021
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