Fort Bend ISD school board welcomes new trustees, Heyliger elected board president
Suburbs // Sugar Land News
Kristi Nix Nov. 20, 2020 Updated: Nov. 25, 2020 3:23 p.m.
Fort Bend ISD trustee Addie Heyliger was voted to serve as the board president during the Nov. 16 regular meeting,
Photo: Fort Bend ISD
Fort Bend ISD superintendent Charles Dupre opened Monday's meeting (Nov. 16) by announcing his resignation by December 2021, making official the news district officials shared earlier that day in a press release. Dupre said he was committed to assisting the district during the transition period and addressed the issue of timing in a video posted to the district website Tuesday (Nov. 17).
"During the meeting, I formally shared my intention to resign as superintendent sometime before December of next year, timing the announcement to align with the addition of the new trustees. This will allow the newly formed Board an opportunity to select a new superintendent to form a new team of eight," Dupre said. "The superintendent search process takes a great deal of time, so I provided the Board notice now to enable them to develop their strategy and timeline. During the coming months, I will remain committed to supporting staff and the Board as we continue our efforts to serve students during the current pandemic and as the Board prepares for the future."
On HoustonChronicle.com: Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Charles DuPre to resign by late 2021
Newly-elected trustees Angie Hanan (Position 1), Dr. Shirley Rose-Gilliam (Position 4) and Denetta Williams (Position 5) were sworn into office. Trustee Addie Heyliger, who was voted to serve as the new board president, took her seat at the center of the dais later in the meeting and welcomed the new trustees while acknowledging the first task at hand: hiring a new superintendent.
"We will soon begin planning a nationwide search," Heyliger said. "I am confident that we will find a leader who will join our Board in continuing our student-focused efforts to inspire and equip all students to pursue futures beyond what they can imagine."
Earlier in the meeting, the three trustees who were stepping down from the board were recognized by district officials and awarded trophies honoring them for their service. Heyliger voiced praise and appreciation for the three retiring members.
"I thank our departing trustees - Kristin Tassin, Jason Burdine and Allison Drew - for their service to the District. It has been my personal privilege to work alongside these dedicated and hardworking trustees," Heyliger said. "They have helped the District achieve unprecedented success through their many sacrifices and contributions to our leadership team."
On HoustonChronicle.com: Challengers defeat incumbents in Fort Bend ISD trustee election
According to official election results, Hanan won election with 61.56 percent of the total 136,711 votes cast in the Position One race over Burdine with 38.44 percent.
On HoustonChronicle.com: Fort Bend ISD board president thanks supporters following unsuccessful re-election bid
In the race for Position 4, Gilliam defeated incumbent Tassin with 52.05 percent of the total 135,710 ballots over Tassin with 47.95 percent. In the three-candidate race for Position Five, Williams won election with 40.2 percent of the total 131,951 ballots over incumbent Drew with 36.03 percent and newcomer candidate Reggie Abraham with 23.77 percent.
knix@hcnonline.com
Kristi Nix
Kristi Nix covers Fort Bend County for Houston Community Newspapers, a Chronicle partner.
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