Folks Named 2011 Superintendent of the Year

For Immediate Release: October 3, 2011     
Contact: Barbara Williams, 800.580.8272, ext. 6418, barbara.williams@tasb.org

(Austin) – John Folks, chief executive of Northside ISD in San Antonio, was named Superintendent of the Year (SOTY) by the Texas Association of School Boards in Austin October 1. State finalists for the prestigious award included Thomas Price, Jr., Splendora ISD, Education Service Center (ESC) 6; Gayle Stinson, Lake Dallas ISD, ESC 11; Sharon Shields, La Vega ISD, ESC 12; and Michael Steck, Veribest ISD, ESC 15.

The state selection committee, which interviewed SOTY finalists September 30 in Austin, focused on how state budget cuts are impacting the quality of education and what significant steps needs to occur to ensure Texas’ students are truly equipped for success in the decades to come. Other issues included public perception of our local schools and messages that must be shared to infuse truth into community discussions, and the critical need to recognize and value the contributions of all employees working at every level in the public school system.

The state selection committee described Folks as a strong statesman for public education and defender and advocate for what’s right for kids. Of interest was his belief that education can transform and evolve a student into a deeper and broader learner with contextual skills and problem solving ability. He places emphasis on helping each student understand the importance of strong character and self-responsibility.

Also cited by the committee was Folks’ belief that “data tells the truth.” Under his leadership, the district created a mechanism for district administrators and campus leaders to review state, district, and individual campus student achievement. Data analysis, not just standardized test scores, is used as a leadership tool to drive continuous school and district improvement.
In addition, the committee noted his commitment to career and college readiness, along with a focus on cross-cultural effectiveness in each school. The result has been narrowed achievement gaps between various student groups.

 With a total of 35 years in education administration, Folks serves approximately 97,000 students. He has led Northside ISD for almost a decade. Active in his local community, Folks has been on the board of directors for numerous statewide organizations and held many other education leadership positions. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and doctorate in educational administration at the University of Oklahoma.

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 the state’s 1,034 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. Folks received an award and a Superintendent of the Year ring from Balfour, program underwriter. State finalists also received an award from Balfour.

 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 4.8 million students.