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Lewisville ISD Considers BISD Superintendent Stephen F. Waddell For Superintendency  Superintendent Stephen F. Waddell announced today that he is being considered for the superintendency with Lewisville ISD, and members of their board will visit with staff in BISD next week.
"I am making this announcement today in order to be open and honest with the trustees, staff and community leaders of BISD," Waddell said. "I was not looking to leave BISD, and this was a very difficult decision. I have come to love the children, staff and people of this district and community."
Waddell has served as superintendent for BISD since March 2002. He previously served as superintendent of Tuloso-Midway ISD in Corpus Christi from 1998-2002. Prior to serving at Tuloso-Midway, Waddell served as superintendent at Sunray ISD from 1985-98. In addition, he has served as principal and assistant principal with Lancaster ISD, and counselor and teacher at Splendora ISD.
During his tenure with BISD, the community passed two bond programs, $40.315 million in 2005 and $128.6 million in 2006. These two bond packages allowed the district to build replacement campuses at Binion and Stowe elementaries and Richland High School. In addition, major renovations were made to Haltom High School and the new Birdville Center of Technology and Advanced Learning was built and opened in 2009. The 2005 bond allowed the district to renovate several district facilities and update the district's technology infrastructure.
Under Waddell's leadership, TAKS performance by African American, Hispanic and economically disadvantaged students increased by more than 28 percentage points in math, and increased by more than 45 percentage points in science. ACT scores over the past six years have met or exceeded the state and national average scores. And for 2009, BISD has 26 recognized and exemplary campuses, the most since TAKS began. Eleven BISD campuses received an exemplary rating in the 2009 state accountability system. Only one campus received this high rating in 2005.
Waddell was named Texas Technology Computer Educators Association's 2008 Superintendent of the Year, State Finalist for the Texas Association of School Boards' 2008 Superintendent of the Year, and the Texas Career and Technology Education Association's 2007 Outstanding Service Award recipient. He serves as a member of the superintendents' Visioning Institute, Northeast Tarrant County Chamber of Commerce, and Tarrant County Workforce Development Board.
When asked about his core beliefs, Waddell is quick to reply that he believes strongly in the talent of people. "I believe that all children can learn and that learning should be a life-long pursuit," he said. His life's work demonstrates his belief in obtaining a high quality education and his faith in public schools to provide unlimited opportunity.
"We wish Dr. Waddell the very best as he moves into a new chapter in his career. If named superintendent of Lewisville ISD, he will be greatly missed by our community," Board President Joe Tolbert said. "Because of the strong reputation and strong financial foundation of Birdville ISD, the board expects to receive applications from the very best superintendents in the state and nation. We will meet and develop a plan of action that will help us in the search for a new superintendent. The board will use the communications tools of the district to keep the community informed of our progress." |
The communications department publishes the employee newsletter "e-nlightened" each week so staff can keep in touch with what is going on across the district. E-mail your pictures and a brief description to 
