Bird Concluding 38 Years of Educational Service

In September, 2008, JISD Superintendent Stuart Bird announced his plans to retire when his contract expires in June of 2009, bringing his 38-year career in public education, and six-and-one-half years at the helm of JISD, to a close. By making his plans known early, Bird gave board members ample time to complete the process of finding a suitable replacement. Soon after the announcement, the board contracted with the Texas Association of School Boards Executive Search Services to assist in the search process for the new superintendent. The board voted unanimously on March 3rd, to hire the lone finalist in the search, Dr. Joe Wardell from Anna ISD, who was officially hired as JISD superintendent on March 23rd.

Citing the desire to spend time with his grandchildren and to enjoy some time off, Bird said he made the decision to make the announcement of his departure early in the school year because he knew it was not too soon to begin planning for the change of leadership. “Now that the board has voted to hire Dr. Wardell,” commented Bird, “I feel that my role is now to be close enough to be of any help in the transition process, but not close enough to interfere with his getting started in his new role.” Since Wardell’s hire, Bird has worked in what could be described as a consultant role, sharing his insights on opportunities and challenges facing the district, while using up some of his accumulated leave and vacation time before his retirement becomes official on June 1.

Stuart Bird began his career in education after graduating from Northwestern University in Natchitoches, LA. He taught in the classroom for ten years in Sabine Parish, and then moved to Carthage, TX, where he spent ten years as the school district’s Band/Fine Arts Director and ten years as principal at Carthage High School. Bird came to Jacksonville as principal of Jacksonville High School in 2000. He became JISD Superintendent in 2003.

Bird has seen JISD enjoy substantial progress academically and financially during his time at the helm. After five-years of steadily increasing test scores, the good news came at the close of the 2007-2008 school year-four JISD campuses earned a state rating of “Recognized,” and one campus, West Side Elementary, achieved the highest ranking of “Exemplary” from the Texas Education Agency. Said Bird, “the district has its best chance of receiving an overall district rating of ‘Recognized’ this (2008-2009) year.” I enjoy seeing the students doing well and appreciate the fine staff of teachers and administrators we have guiding our young people academically.”

On the financial side, faced with unsuccessful attempts at passing school bonds to upgrade and replace aging facilities, JISD has managed to rise to the challenge of maintaining current facilities while completing numerous and needed building and renovation projects. The money for many of these projects comes from the general fund balance, an undesignated fund that has grown through conservative fiscal management. In addition, the district was able to provide annual step raises for all employees and to pass along three locally funded pay scale raises for teachers during the past five years that were over and above the state mandate.

It’s that sort of progress that makes board president James Houser, and the rest of JISD, sorry to see Bird go. “We are hopeful that the new superintendent will continue with the same energy and vision as our current one has shown,” said Houser, “and, quite frankly, Stuart has left some mighty big shoes to fill.”

Bird was honored at the March 23rd board meeting with a plaque thanking him for his 38 years of service to the educational system and for his years of service with JISD. A public farewell reception for Mr. Bird is planned for May 13th, 4:00-6:00 p.m., at the Jacksonville Middle School Library.