Monday’s Bryan school board meeting included filling six administration openings.
That includes four elementary principals and two directors.
The new principals are at Mitchell, Neal, Kemp-Carver, and Branch.
One of the principals transferred, two more were promoted, and the fourth is moving to the district.
Superintendent Tommy Wallis says that leaves one principal vacancy. He says Bowen Elementary principal Hooria Lakhani is stepping down to start a family.
In other personnel actions Monday, the board hired Bryan ISD’s new director of curriculum and instruction, and the district’s first fine arts director.
Dr. Wallis says he hopes to have a recommendation for the district’s next athletics director when the board meets May 19.
Wallis says 23 teachers for at-risk campuses were recently hired during the first of two job fairs. He says there were 57 applicants who had at least two years experience. They went through a screening process that included writing a lesson plan, teach the lesson plan, have a panel interview, then meet with district administrators.
And for the first time since 2010, Bryan ISD employees will not be offered an early resignation incentive. Dr. Wallis says “we’re putting our money back into students now” and “move forward with other things”.
Background of the new hires courtesy of Bryan ISD:
Transfer of Principal from Mitchell Elementary to Branch Elementary—Dr. Karen Kaspar will transfer from Mitchell to Branch for the 2014-2015 school year, bringing her successful leadership and professionalism to work for Branch. Ms. Tammy Brinkman, Branch’s current principal, has resigned effective at the end of this school year.
New principal at Neal Elementary—Ms. Juanita Collins, current assistant principal at Neal Elementary, was promoted to lead Neal after the current principal, Ms. Linda Asberry, retires at the end of this school year. Brief bio: Collins served as assistant principal from 2012 – 2014 and was previously a master teacher at Neal for four years. Prior to that she was a 3rd grade bilingual teacher at Neal for three years. She taught 5th grade in San Felipe Del Rio CISD from 1998 – 2005. She holds a master’s degree in educational administration from Lamar University.
New principal at Kemp-Carver Elementary—Ms. Alison Boggan, the current assistant principal at Kemp-Carver, was approved to serve as principal upon the resignation of Ms. Bren McCullar at the end of this school year. Brief bio: Boggan previously served as dean of instruction at Kemp-Carver from 1998 – 2013. She earned a bachelor of science degree from Texas State University and a master of educational administration from Texas A&M University.
New principal at Mitchell Elementary—Mr. John Rokenbrod of Chesterfield, Virginia, was approved to lead Mitchell upon the transfer of Dr. Karen Kaspar. Brief bio: Mr. Rokenbrod most recently served as Amelia County Public Schools Supervisor of Technology & Public Relations and Principal of Amelia County ES, in Amelia, Virginia. He has served in that role since July 2012. Prior to that he served as Amelia County Public Schools Coordinator of Testing, Technology, and Public Relations; Assistant to the Gifted Coordinator. He was principal of Amelia County High School from 2010-2011 and served as assistant principal at Mills Godwin High School from 2008-2010. Prior service included assistant principal positions at middle and high schools. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in history from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University and a master of education degree in administration and supervision from Virginia Commonwealth University.
New director of curriculum and instruction—the board approved Ms. Kammi Green as the new director of curriculum. Brief bio: Green previously served as interim superintendent for Anderson-Shiro CISD and Anderson-Shiro CISD assistant superintendent. Prior to that she was executive director of instruction and accountability from 2010 – 2012 and director of curriculum and instruction from 2007 – 2010. She previously served in Bryan ISD as professional development specialist from 2006 – 2007. She earned a bachelor of science in interdisciplinary studies from Texas A&M University and a master of educational administration degree from Texas A&M.
New director of fine arts—The board approved Mr. Nicholas Luggerio, of Conroe, for the new position of director of fine arts. Previously, a single director, Mr. David Reynolds, administered fine arts and career/technology education. Brief bio: Luggerio previously served as director of fine arts/director of bands for Huntsville ISD from 2004 – 2014 and director of bands for five years at Crosby ISD. He earned a bachelor of science degree from Texas A&M University in 1992, a JD from South Texas College of Law in 1995, a bachelor of music degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1998, and in 2003 he received his master’s in music from Sam Houston State University.