Finalists named for Superintendent of the Year

The Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) has announced the five state finalists for the annual Superintendent of the Year (SOTY) award. Since 1984, the SOTY program has recognized exemplary superintendents for excellence and achievement in educational leadership.

The 2012 finalists and nominating education service centers (ESCs) are

• René Gutiérrez, Edinburg CISD, ESC 1;
• Greg Smith, Clear Creek ISD, ESC 4;
• Charles Dupre, Pflugerville ISD, ESC 13;
• Dennis McEntire, Presidio ISD, ESC 18; and
• Michael Zolkoski, Ysleta ISD, ESC 19.

The state selection committee, which interviewed regional winners Aug. 24-25 in Austin, focused on such issues as the demands for America’s workforce, public education funding and the pending school finance lawsuit, successful board relationships, technology integration and academic excellence.

Serving approximately 31,000 students, René Gutiérrez has led Edinburg Consolidated ISD for three year and has 16 years in education administration. The committee cited his work to develop the Visions Academy (a dropout recovery program), to complete and staff new schools in an economic crunch, and to focus on innovative teaching and learning through technology. Also noted were his visits to one student home per day during his first 100 days as superintendent. Gutiérrez earned an associate degree at Texas Southmost College at Brownsville, a bachelor’s degree at Pan American at Brownsville and University of Texas Pan American (UTPA), and his master’s and doctorate degrees at UTPA.

Greg Smith, superintendent of Clear Creek ISD for four years, serves more than 40,000 students and has 27 years of administrative experience. The selection committee noted that student success in the district could be credited in large part to Smith’s attention to changing demographics. The committee also noted that he faced recent funding issues by attacking the budget with a scalpel instead of a machete. His efforts to host job fairs, keep children of laid-off NASA employees enrolled and — after Hurricane Ike — get school back in session in two weeks were cited as well. Smith earned a bachelor’s degree at Oakland University, a master’s degree at the University of Houston-Clear Lake and a doctorate at Texas A&M University.

At the helm of Pflugerville ISD for six years, Charles Dupre has a total of 16 years in education administration and serves a student population nearing 23,000 students. Of particular interest to the state selection committee was the district’s goal under Dupre’s leadership to have each student be either college bound or career-ready by 2020. They also cited organizational changes from top to bottom to ensure a strong board-superintendent relationship and that all systems are well aligned for student achievement. Dupre earned his bachelor’s degree at Harding University and a master’s degree at the University of Houston. He is pursuing a doctorate at Texas A&M University.

Serving approximately 1,500 students, Dennis McEntire has six years of experience in education administration and has been superintendent of Presidio ISD for six years. The state committee noted that under his leadership the district does not spend a dollar unless it has a positive impact on students. Also of interest was Presidio’s Pathways to Graduation program, of which 102 out of 102 students graduated. The committee cited McEntire’s effective management systems as well. McEntire earned a bachelor’s degree at Austin College, a master’s degree in computers and cognitive systems at the University of North Texas and a master’s degree in education administration at Lubbock Christian University.

With a total of 34 years in public education administration, Michael Zolkoski serves a student population of more than 41,000. He has held the position of Ysleta ISD superintendent for three years. The state selection committee acknowledged Zolkoski’s focus on the critical importance of communication with students and parents and his strong emphasis on student success, demonstrated by his hands-on involvement as an instructor in the district’s algebra camp every year. Zolkoski received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Southwest Texas State University. He also earned doctoral degrees at California Coast University and The University of Texas at Austin.

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.

Regional winners nominated by the ESCs are Brett Belmarez, Skidmore-Tynan ISD, ESC 2; Malcolm Nash, Sabine Pass ISD, ESC 5; Darrell Myers, Livingston ISD, ESC 6; J. Glenn Hambrick, Carthage ISD, ESC 7; Rose Mary Neshyba, Red Lick ISD, ESC 8; John Baker, Seymour ISD, ESC 9; Ken Helvey, Allen ISD, ESC 10; G. Wayne Rotan, Glen Rose ISD, ESC 11; Robert Muller, Killeen ISD, ESC 12; Joey Light, Wylie ISD, ESC 14; Walter Holik, Jr., Wall ISD, ESC 15; Mike Wartes, Canyon ISD, ESC 16; Deanna Logan, Ralls ISD, ESC 17; and Gail Siller, Fort Sam Houston ISD, ESC 20.

The 2012 Superintendent of the Year will be announced Sept. 28 at the TASA/TASB Convention in Austin. 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 4.9 million students.