TASB Convention will take place at the end of September. | Unsplash
Five Texas public school administrators were selected as state finalists for the annual Superintendent of the Year award.
The 2020 finalists are Becky McCutchen, Alpine ISD, Region 18; Jose Gonzalez, McAllen ISD, Region 1; Michelle Barrow, Newton ISD, Region 5; Roland Hernandez, Corpus Christi ISD, Region 2 and Jamie Wilson, Denton ISD, Region 11
The state selection committee interviewed candidates Aug. 28-29 and it asked the superintendents about issues such as advocacy, diversity and inclusion, the impact of the pandemic on education, and the board-superintendent relationship.
Here is a brief look at the finalists, according to a press release from the Texas Association of School Boards.
McCutchen has led Alpine ISD for five years and has been in education administration for 12 years. She serves approximately 1,000 students in this 1,995-square-mile West Texas district. Of particular note to the committee was her empathy for the district’s students and her involvement in advocating for rural schools.
Gonzalez has served as an administrator in McAllen ISD for 22 years and has been superintendent for the last four. The committee cited Gonzalez’s small-town approach to leading this district of around 21,000 students, with a focus on relationships among individuals and organizations.
Hernandez is entering his seventh year at the helm of Corpus Christi ISD, and he has 22 years of administrative experience. The committee noted the humility with which Wilson serves a diverse population of about 32,000 students. He has been in education administration for 19 years, serving as superintendent of Denton ISD for eight of those, according to the press release.
Barrow has been superintendent of Newton ISD for five years and serves approximately 1,000 students. The committee noted her resilience and her loyalty to this East Texas community.
Wilson serves a population of about 32,000 students. He has been in education administration for 19 years, serving as superintendent of Denton ISD for eight of those. The committee noted that Wilson leads this fast-growth district with a can-do attitude and a data-driven approach.
The committee noted that Wilson leads this fast-growth district with a can-do attitude and a data-driven approach.
Regional superintendents of the year nominated by regional selection committees are: Marshall Scott III, Bay City ISD, Region 3; Danny Massey, Brazosport ISD, Region 4; Andrew Peters, Caldwell ISD, Region 6; Jerry Gibson, Marshall ISD, Region 7; Greg Bower, Como-Pickton CISD, Region 8; Todd Wilson, Chillicothe ISD, Region 9; Marc Smith, Duncanville ISD, Region 10; David Edison, Aquilla ISD, Region 12; Roger Dees, Giddings ISD, Region 13; Joe Young, Brownwood ISD, Region 15; Darryl Flusche, Canyon ISD, Region 16; Juan Cabrera, El Paso ISD, Region 19; and Thomas Price Jr., Boerne ISD, Region 20.
The 2020 Superintendent of the Year will be announced at the Texas Association of School Administrators | TASB Convention, Sept. 30 to Oct 2. It will be a virtual event.
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