Finalist Declared: Fairfield ISD Concludes Search for Superintendent
WRITTEN BY MEGAN HEMPEL
Freestone County Times
WRITTEN BY MEGAN HEMPEL
Freestone County Times
Moments before Fairfield ISD bid farewell to the Class of 2014, it welcomed the much anticipated lone finalist for superintendent, Mr. Rick Edwards.
Trustees voted unanimously to appoint Mr. Edwards as lone finalist for superintendent. By law, The Board must now wait 21 days before voting to hire Mr. Edwards. He is slated to replace former Superintendent Dr. Katie Ryan who left the district on November 1st to become Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for Copperas Cove ISD. {{more}}
Mrs. Sheila Dove has been serving as Interim Superintendent since Dr. Ryan?s departure. She has been the Assistant Superintendent since 2001 and is retiring effective August 31, 2014.
The Board has completed a thorough process and is excited to begin a new year with Mr. Edwards. Mr. Blake Robinson, Board President, stated, ?The board feels confident that Mr. Edwards will effectively lead our district and brings with him the experience and knowledge needed to make our great district even better.?
Edwards is currently the Associate Superintendent of Technology Services in Kennedale ISD, a 3A district in Tarrant County, near Mansfield, Arlington, and Ft. Worth. He has been in Kennedale since 2001 when he was hired as principal of Kennedale High School. He has been an Associate Superintendent since 2006 and has served in a leadership role for secondary schools, business and finance, human resources, technology, community relations and policy oversight.
?Even though Kennedale is in the Metroplex, we still have that small town feel just as Fairfield does. The activities in town revolve around the school and everyone supports the district.? Edwards says, ?I am so excited to become a part of Fairfield and the Eagle family!?
?As I began to research the district, I saw so many amazing accomplishments so far,? Edwards continued, ?I am eager to get to work with the Fairfield School Board of Trustees, current administration, teachers, parents, students, and the community to continue the successes of Fairfield ISD and increase those so that we become the district that all others try to imitate, but can never copy.?
Edwards graduated from Appalachian State University in December 1987 with a Bachelor?s of Science in Math Education. He started his career as a teacher at a small rural K-12 school in the mountains of North Carolina that December. Over the years, he has taught math, chemistry, drafting, and computer science. He earned his Master?s in Educational Leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN. Edwards has also served as an assistant principal in Hendersonville, TN and, after moving to Texas in 1998, at Bowie High School in Arlington, TX.
Edwards is married to Melinda, who works from home as an accountant. The couple has two daughters – Jennifer and Mallory. Jennifer is married and works at the corporate offices of JC Penney?s. Mallory is following in Edwards?s footsteps and is currently earning her teaching certificate with a focus on middle grades education.
The Board is scheduled to vote to offer a contract to Mr. Edwards on June 28th.
