By KIM HILSENBECK
At a special Monday morning meeting, the Frisco Independent School District Board of Trustees announced that Hays CISD Superintendent Jeremy Lyon has been named as the final candidate for the district near Dallas.
According to the Dallas Morning News, Frisco school board president Renee Ehmke said that Lyon will start at the district Jan. 7.
Lyon, who has been in Hays for three years, contacted Hays CISD Board President Willie Tenorio Monday morning. Tenorio called the other board members to give them the news.
Lyon was instrumental in initiating a comprehensive five-year strategic plan, which focused on student achievement and healthy children. He also helped the district further its green initiatives, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy and waste management costs. Last year, Lyon led the district through one of the worst statewide school funding crisis events in recent history.
Yet Lyon will also leave behind a legacy of issues with racial intolerance and forcing Hays High School students to remove clothing and car stickers with the image of the Rebel flag on them before a clear rule and policy were in place.
Some community members have said they think that the current undecided issue of students’ wearing of the Rebel flag on personal property, and the way the issue has been handled, may cause potential candidates to hesitate, to apply for the job.
Still, board members and others believe Lyon accomplished much during his tenure.
“Congratulations to Dr. Lyon,” Tenorio said. “This is a very exciting and challenging next chapter in his career. We are proud of his achievement and grateful for the leadership he has provided our school district the past three years.”
Lyon complimented the current board and staff in a statement Monday morning.
“We have an outstanding leadership team in place and a school board that is active and engaged,” Lyon said. “I want to thank our teachers especially. They go the extra mile every day for the children of our school district.”
The Hays CISD Board will have to decide whether it wants to name an interim superintendent and must determine the parameters for a superintendent search and interview process.
Related stories:
- Hays CISD Board names interim superintendent 12/5/2012
- Hays CISD superintendent search continues 04/12/2013
- Hays CISD gets its man 02/18/2009
