Dr. Mike Waldrip, currently principal at Liberty High School, was named to the new position of Assistant Superintendent for Program Evaluation, Data Analysis, Research and Reporting, during the regular meeting of the Board on Monday, July 26.

According to Superintendent of Schools Rick Reedy, this position will complete the upper level of administration in FISD and round out the instructional support services needed to move FISD forward.

“With Mike Waldrip in this position, we can increase our focus on program effectiveness,” he said. “His expertise in research and data analysis will allow us to more easily coordinate the efforts of the various departments – such as curriculum and instruction, professional development, instructional technology – to make sure our concerted efforts are resulting in improved student achievement and individual student gains. With the right data reports, we can help our educators make the best decisions possible for our students as we strive to be the best school system we can be. Our students deserve the very best in educational opportunities.”

Dr. Waldrip joined FISD in 2002 as principal of Clark Middle School. He was the Director of Secondary Instruction from 2004-2006 and opened Liberty High as principal in 2006. Prior to joining FISD he was a teacher/coach and assistant principal in Victoria, Goliad and Seminole. The 28-year veteran educator received his bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech, his master’s from Sul Ross and his doctorate from the University of North Texas.

Waldrip will be replaced at Liberty High School by current associate principal Dr. John Burdett. Burdett joined FISD in 2006 to open Liberty High. Prior to that he was assistant principal for five years at Flower Mound High in Lewisville ISD and in Alabama. He began his career in Alabama in 1995 as a language arts teacher/department chair. His bachelor’s and master’s degrees are from Auburn University; his doctoral degree is from the University of North Texas. Burdett will be replaced as Associate Principal by Scott Warstler and Karen LeCocq will join LHS as an assistant principal.

In addition to this administrative hire, Nancy Lawson, currently principal at Fisher Elementary, was named as the Director for Elementary Instruction. She will replace Debbie Jarzombek, who is retiring and will be in a part-time position with the district in the fall.

Lawson joined FISD in 2004, coming from a principalship in Illinois. She was a principal and assistant principal in the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD for three years before moving to Illinois in 2000. Lawson was also a counselor for seven years in Grapevine-Colleyville and has six years of experience as a music teacher in Coppell, Garland and Dallas. Her bachelor’s degree is from Southern Methodist University and her master’s degree is from Texas Woman’s University.

Lawson will be replaced by current Shawnee Trail Assistant Principal Nancy Fatheree. Fatheree joined FISD as a teacher in 2005 and became assistant principal at Shawnee Trail in 2007. Previously she taught for nine years in Lufkin, Bryan and College Station. Her bachelor’s and master’s degrees are from Texas A&M University. Fatheree will be replaced as assistant principal at Shawnee Trail by Heather Cox.

Following the meeting, Dr. Debra Nelson, Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, expressed great confidence in the administrative replacements that were approved by the Board.

“Debbie Jarzombek has done a great job in this position and has implemented many initiatives that have made a difference in FISD,” she said. “Although we will miss her leadership, we support her decision to make a change in her career. Nancy Lawson is a veteran educator who will ensure a smooth transition and will be a vital part of taking us to the next level. Dr. Burdett and Mrs. Fatheree are fully prepared to take on these new roles and will be valued assets in our ranks of top campus leadership – Liberty High and Fisher Elementary will not miss a beat.”

In other administrative hirings, Chantelle Elliott was named as Coordinator of Secondary Mathematics for Middle Schools and Julie Martin was named Coordinator of Gifted and Talented.