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 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.

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D’Hanis ISD

Brian Thompson, new district superintendent, previously led Brazos ISD. In addition, he held the top position in Sunray and Pettus ISDs.

DeSoto ISD

Now serving as chief financial officer of DeSoto ISD is Joey Jones. He comes to his new position from 10 years in Longview ISD, where he most recently was assistant superintendent of finance. He previously served in Grand Saline ISD and in the private sector. He received two bachelor’s degrees, in finance and accounting, from the University of Texas at Tyler.

Denton ISD

Former Rayzor Elementary School principal Cecilia Holt now serves as the district’s early childhood education coordinator. The 28-year educator joined Denton ISD in 1996 as a teacher and in 2006 took her first administrative position. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Midwestern State University and a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of North Texas. The district’s new virtual academy, set to commence at the beginning of the 202122 school year, will be led by Caleb Leath as principal. Currently leading Wilson Elementary School, he previously was assistant principal of Nelson Elementary.

Dripping Springs ISD

Kristen Ray, who joined the district in 2017 to open Sycamore Springs Elementary School as principal, has been named director of elementary education. Previously employed as a consultant in the private sector, she also worked in Roosevelt ISD and San Antonio’s North East ISD as a teacher, assistant principal and principal. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and her master’s degree in educational administration from Wayland Baptist University. The newly appointed principal of Cypress Springs Elementary School is Kellie Raymond, moving to her new job from Dripping Springs Elementary, which she led for six years. She began her career in Austin ISD, coming to Dripping Springs in 2006 to teach at Dripping Springs and Rooster Springs elementary schools. She is a graduate of Texas State University, where she also received her master’s degree in educational administration.

El Paso ISD

Veteran educator Haidi Appel will lead the newly consolidated Haskins Pre-K-8 School when its doors open in August. Now principal of Lincoln Middle School, she has been with the district for 20 years, working as a teacher, assistant principal and principal. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Texas at El Paso. After serving the past year as interim chief of police, Manuel Chavira now holds the job on a permanent basis. He is a 31-year veteran of the El Paso Fire Department and spent seven years with El Paso ISD’s police services department. Adan Lopez, new principal of Canyon Hills Middle School, previously served as an administrator in the district’s secondary schools division. In addition, he was principal of Hughey Elementary and the College, Career and Technology Academy.

Rose Ann Martinez, currently principal of MacArthur Intermediate School, will lead the newly consolidated campus called MacArthur Pre-K-8 School when it opens in the fall. Prior assignments in EPISD include assistant and interim principal of Franklin High School and assistant principal of Silva Health Magnet School. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and her master’s degree from the University of Texas at El Paso.

A new principal has been named for Duran Elementary School. Yeni Ontiveros, currently principal of Dowell Elementary, will take the helm when the new school opens for the 2021-22 academic year. She previously taught in both California and El Paso schools and was principal of Canutillo ISD’s Childress Elementary. Her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education were awarded from the University of Texas at El Paso. The district’s newest elementary school, Lake Country Elementary, will open its doors in August with Anke Bracey as principal. She brings 29 years of experience to her new job, the last 23 of those in administration. The Midwestern State University graduate was most recently Boyd ISD’s elementary principal. She earned her master’s degree in educational administration from the University of North Texas.

Sonia Garcia has accepted the position of assistant principal of Marine Creek Middle School after working in that capacity for the past 12 years, most recently in HurstEuless-Bedford and Irving ISDs. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in education administration, both from Texas Woman’s University. The new director of safety and security is Charles Ramirez, who joins the district after retiring from 29 years of service in the Fort Worth Police Department. His bachelor’s degree was awarded from Midwestern State University and his master’s degree from the University of Louisville.

Ector County ISD

Ector County ISD has hired its first female athletic director. Tracey Borchardt began her career in the district in 1989 as a physical education teacher and was most recently assistant director of athletics.

Edinburg CISD

Mario Salinas has been approved as superintendent of Edinburg CISD. He has been an educator for more than 30 years, working as a high school teacher, head varsity basketball coach, assistant principal and, for 10 years, principal of Edinburg North High School. Most recently, he served as assistant superintendent for support services. His bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees were conferred from the University of Texas Pan-American.

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Ennis ISD

Former North Hopkins ISD superintendent Darin Jolly now serves as Ennis ISD’s assistant superintendent of accountability and operations. He led North Hopkins for the past five years.

Frenship ISD

Tiffany Taylor is Frenship ISD’s new director of communications and community engagement. Previously the district’s media relations coordinator, she also worked as a public information officer for the Lubbock Police Department.

Frisco ISD

Athletic director David Kuykendall has retired. He spent seven seasons as Frisco High School’s head coach before becoming the district’s first athletic director in 1999. Grace McDowell, who has worked in the district since 2002, the past seven years as assistant athletic director, will take over the role of athletic director. She has taught and coached at the secondary and college levels and was Fowler Middle School’s assistant principal. She holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and master’s degrees in exercise science and administration and is completing a doctorate in sports management from Texas Woman’s University.

Glen Rose ISD

Trig Overbo has accepted the position of superintendent of Glen Rose ISD. Most recently the eight-year superintendent of Jayton-Girard ISD, he previously taught, coached and served as an administrator in Hamlin and Snyder ISDs. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater with a master’s degree in educational leadership from Abilene Christian University. His doctorate in educational leadership was awarded from Lamar University. A new superintendent is in place for Granger ISD. Jeni Neatherlin joins the district from Salado ISD, where she was chief operations officer. Prior to that, she was principal of Llano High School in Llano ISD and of Abell Junior High in Midland ISD. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Angelo State University and a master’s degree in educational administration from Lamar University.

Humble ISD

Billy Beattie has been chosen to serve as the district’s chief financial officer. Previously director of business systems, payroll, benefits and risk management, he is a Texas A&M graduate, a native of Humble and product of Humble ISD schools.

Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD

HEB ISD recently made 15 new administrative assignments. They are: • Tiffany Benavides, coordinator of human resources – auxiliary; • Lilymar Benitez-Berrios, coordinator of special education (assessment); • Aungelique Brading, coordinator of quality learning; • Darla Clark, assistant superintendent of elementary administration; • Christine Cruz, principal, Shady Oaks

Elementary School; • Shannon Gauntt, principal, Arbor Creek

Elementary School; • Katie Harrell, principal, Bedford

Heights Elementary School; • Joe Harrington, deputy superintendent of educational operations; • Lindsey Hopkins, coordinator of information services; • Shannon Huber, principal, Harrison

Lane Elementary School; • Terry Jackson, director of information services; • Melanie Mans, principal, Viridian

Elementary School; • Miranda Martin, principal, Shady Brook

Elementary School; • Ann Rodriguez, principal, Meadow

Creek Elementary School; • Conrad Streeter, assistant superintendent of secondary administration. The Italy ISD board of trustees has approved Rachel Kistner as district superintendent. Most recently executive director of special services in Burleson ISD, she has also worked in Red Oak ISD as a teacher, principal and director of special education.

Katy ISD

Mayde Creek High School has a new campus athletic coordinator and head football coach. J Jensen is a graduate of Mayde Creek who began his career as a coach at Morton Ranch Junior High in 2003. He next was a defensive line coach at Mayde Creek before transferring to Alief ISD. He returned to Katy ISD in 2014 as Taylor High School’s defensive coordinator.

Keller ISD

The district’s new executive director of special education is Lynn Jameson, who spent the past six years as director of special education in Castleberry ISD. Prior to that, she was special education coordinator and an educational diagnostician for Mansfield and Arlington ISDs. The Keller High School graduate received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas Woman’s University. Clarence Scott, newly appointed principal of Sunset Valley Middle School, has been promoted from assistant principal of Liberty Elementary. An educator for 12 years, he earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and his master’s degree in educational administration from Dallas Baptist University. After 19 years with the district, Indian Springs Middle School principal Sandy Troudt will bring her 43-year education career to a close with her retirement in June. She began as a teacher and volleyball coach in Colorado and Kansas before transferring to Texas to teach and coach at Texas Woman’s University and beginning the volleyball program at Texas Christian University. She joined Keller ISD in 2002 as head volleyball coach at Fossil Ridge High School.