Finalists Named for Superintendent of the Year

For Immediate Release: August 25, 2008
Contact: Barbara Williams, 800.580.8272, ext. 6418

(AUSTIN)—Five public school administrators from across Texas were selected as state finalists for the annual Superintendent of the Year (SOTY) award sponsored by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). Since 1984, the SOTY program has recognized exemplary superintendents for excellence and achievement in educational leadership.

The 2008 finalists and nominating education service centers (ESCs) are: ¬Ted Moore, Lovejoy ISD, ESC 10; Stephen Waddell, Birdville ISD, ESC 11; Dennis Hill, Llano ISD, ESC 13; Doug Harriman, Seminole ISD, ESC 17; and Dan Troxell, Kerrville ISD, ESC 20. All are members of the Texas Association of School Administrators.

The state selection committee, which interviewed all regional winners August 22-23 in Austin, focused on such issues as advocacy, standardized testing, long-range planning, district leadership, and student success.

Moore, superintendent of Lovejoy ISD for three years, serves approximately 2,500 students. He has a total of 24 years of administrative experience. The selection committee noted that he is an articulate communicator who thinks globally and believes the real gap in education is where students are right now versus where their potential could ultimately take them.

In his community, he serves on the board of directors for the Heard Natural Science Museum, Pax United, and Cross Timbers Youth Orchestra, and volunteers for Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. Moore earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin and master of education at Texas A&M Commerce, where he also conducted post-master work in educational administration and family systems.

With a total of 26 years in administration, Waddell has led Birdville ISD for six years and serves more than 22,000 students. Of note to the committee was his use of technology in the district and focus on systems solutions, not temporary fixes. Also cited was his belief that an emphasis on TAKS alone is not a way to fulfill a student’s dream of success.

Waddell earned a bachelor of arts degree at North Texas State University, master of education at Stephen F. Austin State University, and doctorate at University of North Texas. He serves on the board of directors for the Quad Cities Foundation, Northeast Tarrant Chamber of Commerce, and Tarrant County Workforce Development Board. He also is active in the Northeast Tarrant Lions Club, Northeast Leadership Forum, and Tarrant County United Way.

At the helm of Llano ISD for five years, Hill serves about 1,900 students and has been in education administration for 24 years. Among things observed by the selection committee were his encouragement of staff to use positive reinforcement and his pride that the community was able to regain its confidence and the district was able to regain its honor after major financial difficulties.

Active in his community, he has held leadership positions in the Llano Lions Club, Llano Junior Livestock Show Association, Llano Youth Baseball Association, and Llano Crime Stoppers. In addition, he has received honors from the Llano Chamber of Commerce and Llano Masonic Lodge. Hill earned bachelor of science and master of education degrees at Texas State University.

Superintendent of Seminole ISD for seven years, Harriman serves approximately 2,300 students and has 25 years of education administration experience. The selection committee noted his emphasis on staff development, with a working knowledge of technology, and start of an adult education program for the community. He believes state assessments are a driving force, but places the district focus on individual students rather than groups.

Harriman earned a bachelor of science degree at Lubbock Christian University and master of education at Sul Ross State University. His community activities include the Seminole Area Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club, and he also is vice-president of the New Mexico Children’s Christian Home board of directors.

Serving almost 4,800 students, Troxell has led Kerrville ISD for five years and has a total of 18 years in education administration. Of interest to the committee were his commitment to a team-of-eight approach for district governance and emphasis on the importance of student mentoring. One success noted was the Academic Excellence Committee, composed of staff and community members who visit other districts around the state to examine best practices.

He earned a bachelor degree at the University of Texas at Austin, master’s at Southwest Texas State University, and doctorate at UT-Austin. Troxell is a board member of the Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce, Kerrville Economic Development Foundation, Kerrville Little League, and TASB Risk Management Fund. He also is the founder of the Greater Hill Country–San Antonio Consortium of Districts.

SOTY candidates are chosen for their dedication to improving educational quality, board-superintendent relations, student achievement, and commitment to public support and involvement in education. Superintendents from any of Texas’ 1,036 school districts are eligible for nomination by their local boards of trustees. District nominees are submitted to a regional selection committee, which submits one nominee per region to the state selection committee.

Regional winners nominated by the ESCs: Roel Gonzalez, Rio Grande City CISD, ESC 1; Sam Atwood, Goliad ISD, ESC 3; Abelardo Saavedra, Houston ISD, ESC 4; Mike Cargill, Bryan ISD, ESC 6; David Fitts, Pewitt CISD, ESC 8; Tom Woody, Vernon ISD, ESC 9; James “Ronny” Collins, Snyder ISD (now with Mineral Wells ISD), ESC 14; Matt Underwood, Mason ISD, ESC 15; Frank Belcher, Canadian ISD, ESC 16; and Ricardo Estrada, Clint ISD, ESC 19.

The 2008 Superintendent of the Year will be announced September 28 at the TASA/TASB Convention in Dallas. The winning superintendent will receive an award from Balfour, program sponsor.

TASB is a nonprofit association established in 1949 to serve local public school districts. School board members are the largest group of publicly elected officials in the state. The districts they represent serve more than 4.6 million students.