The Boerne ISD Board of Trustees has voted unanimously to name Dr. Thomas Price for the superintendent’s position for the school district. Price, who formerly served as Deputy Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer in Humble ISD, northeast of Houston, follows David Stelmazewski, who has served as Boerne ISD superintendent since December 2011 until his retirement on June 30, 2017.

Stelmazewski arrived in Boerne in 2008, serving as the first principal of the newly opened Boerne-Samuel V. Champion High School. Under his leadership, Boerne-Champion quickly rose among the state’s leading academic campuses; the school attained Exemplary status in state accountability ratings in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

“If we do what is right for the students and prepare them for the world they will face after graduation,” he said many times, “then we have done our jobs.”

In his five and a half years as superintendent, Stelmazewski led two successful bond initiatives that have facilitated the district’s response to rapid enrollment growth while also significantly enhancing classroom technology and reinforcing security on all campuses. Those bonds, together totaling $274.5 million, provided funding for a new and expanded Fabra Elementary School, renovations and expansions at the eight other district schools, and three new campuses that will come online over the next three years.

Donna Sharp, Boerne ISD Board of Trustees President for 2016-2017, says of Stelmazewski’s successor, “It has been a true pleasure to get to know Dr. Price and to envision him in the role as the next leader of our school district. Having followed a thorough, collaborative search process, we can say with confidence that we found in Dr. Price someone who matches the qualities and characteristics expressed by the community as desirable in our next superintendent. His record of success is impressive.”

That record includes Price’s service as Deputy Superintendent for the 41,200-student Humble ISD, which he began in 2012. Under his leadership, Humble ISD was named to the National College Board’s AP District Honor Roll, recognizing increased student participation in advanced placement courses and increased AP test scores. He also guided the district to an increased emphasis on dual credit programming, CTE  certifications and internships, and double-digit gains in

college readiness scores. He offered oversight for a multi-district science/math collaborative that partnered with Rice University and other institutions to enhance professional development and revise existing elementary science and math programs.

In 2015, Humble ISD earned the HEB Excellence in Education award as the best large public school district in Texas. Two district high schools — Kingwood and Quest Early College — are recognized on the U.S. News list of top high schools in the state.

Prior to his tenure at Humble ISD, Price served as superintendent at Splendora ISD, Sealy ISD and Anderson-Shiro CISD. He also was assistant superintendent at West Orange-Cove CISD. Both Anderson-Shiro and West Orange-Cove are Chapter 41 districts that must operate under the same “Robin Hood” provisions encountered in Boerne ISD. Earlier in his career, Price served as executive director for an elementary at Port Arthur ISD, principal at Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD and assistant principal at Beaumont ISD. His career in public education began with teaching assignments in Anahuac ISD, Hardin-Jefferson CISD and Beaumont ISD.

Price’s education includes an undergraduate degree from the University of Houston and both Master of Education and Doctor of Education degrees from Lamar University. He and his wife, Donna, have three children, Christopher-26, Sean-17 and Savannah-15.

Combining input from faculty, staff and community members, the Board developed a candidate profile and engaged the Texas Association of School Boards to assist in the search. From a field of more than 60 applicants, the Board identified six candidates for initial interviews. Through the vetting process, which included a visit by trustees to his current district, Dr. Price emerged as the sole finalist.

Thanks to David Boggan, Director of Communication, Boerne ISD. www.boerne-isd.net