TASB News

For Immediate Release: August 24, 2009
Contact: Barbara Williams, 800.580.8272, ext. 6418

Finalists Named for Superintendent of the Year

 (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 2009 finalists and nominating education service centers (ESCs) are:

Oscar Rodriguez, Jr., Mission CISD, ESC 1; Mark Henry, Galena Park ISD, ESC 4; Ray Braswell, Denton ISD, ESC 11; Rose Cameron, Copperas Cove ISD, ESC 12; and Jesús Chávez, Round Rock ISD, ESC 13. All are members of the Texas Association of School Administrators.

The state selection committee, which interviewed all regional winners August 21-22 in Austin, focused on such issues as public school advocacy, equity, college and workforce readiness, education finance, community support, and student success. 

 Serving more than 15,000 students, Rodriguez has led Mission CISD for four years and has 30 years of experience in education administration. The selection committee noted the district’s emphasis on success for every student and a partnership with South Texas College and the University of Texas-Pan American to create Operation College Bound, where seniors are assisted in completing college and financial-aid applications.

 Rodriguez earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of North Texas and a master’s degree in education at Stephen F. Austin State University. He has been active in the local United Way, Chamber of Commerce, Mission Economic Development Association, and Leadership Mission. In addition, he works with various district-level advisory committees, District Council of PTOs, and MCISD Council of Clergy, among others.  

Henry, superintendent of Galena Park ISD for five years, serves approximately 20,000 students. He has 22 years of administrative experience. Of interest to the committee was the district’s Scholars’ Academy, which begins in elementary school to expose students to colleges, fine arts, other cultures, and community service. Also noted were his emphasis on positive employee communication and strong focus on customer relations.

 Chair of the North Channel Chamber of Commerce, Henry has been active on the Teacher Retirement System board of trustees and as vice-chair of the Region 8 Advisory Committee and Region 4 Superintendent Advisory Committee. Henry earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas at Arlington, and master of education and doctorate degrees at the University of North Texas. 

 At the helm of Denton ISD for 11 years, Braswell has a total of 24 years in education administration and serves more than 21,000 students. Mentioned by the committee were a district initiative to involve retirees as mentors and tutors and a program to encourage student understanding of other cultures in a global community. The selection committee also cited a focus on the value of diversity.

 In his community, he is a member of the local Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club and a lifetime member of United Way of Denton County. He also participates in the Superintendents’ Steering Committee of the Fast Growth Schools’ Coalition and North Dallas Area Superintendents’ Association. Braswell attended the University of North Texas, where he earned bachelor, master of education, and doctorate degrees.

 With a total of 17 years in administration, Cameron has led Copperas Cove ISD for three years and serves about 8,000 students. The committee acknowledged her positive results in making pre-K a priority and collaborative efforts with district, Chamber of Commerce, city, and Economic Development Corporation leaders to meet and plan strategically. She also places strong emphasis on P-20 initiatives and partnerships.

Cameron earned a bachelor’s degree at Texas Wesleyan University, master’s at Tarleton State University (TSU), and doctorate at TSU and Texas A&M University, Commerce. She serves on the board of governors, Association of U.S. Army, and is current president of the Lions Club. She also serves on the Crime Stoppers Board, as an adjunct professor at TSU, and on several committees on the military installation at Fort Hood.

 Superintendent of Round Rock ISD for three years, Chávez serves approximately 40,000 students and has 25 years of administrative experience. Noted by the committee were his efforts to create support for bond elections and formation of a collaborative advocacy group of neighboring and county school districts to affect legislation. Also cited were parent support specialists at each campus and his emphasis on student success. 

Active in numerous organizations, Chávez is a member and past chair of the Texas Urban Council and has served on the Commissioner’s accountability advisory committee and Texas Academic Decathlon board of directors. He earned a bachelor’s and doctorate degrees at the University of Texas at Austin, and master of education at Pan American University at Brownsville.

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 1,035 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 are: Charley McMath, London ISD, ESC 2; Michael Lanier, Rice CISD, ESC 3; Clay Webb, New Waverly ISD, ESC 6; James Wilcox, Longview ISD, ESC 7; Linda Henrie, Mesquite ISD, ESC 10; Guy Nelson, Highland ISD, ESC 14; Robert Gibson, Miles ISD, ESC 15; Bill Mayfield, Highland Park ISD (Potter County), ESC 16; Larry McClenny, Patton Springs ISD, ESC 17; Paul Vranish, Tornillo ISD, ESC 19; and Thomas Harvey, Jr., La Vernia ISD, ESC 20.

The 2009 Superintendent of the Year will be announced October 3 at the TASA/TASB Convention in Houston. The winning superintendent will receive an award from Balfour, program underwriter.

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 4.7 million students.