With superintendent hiring continuing at a rapid clip for another week, it’s time to take a look at how big a role diversity is playing as districts pick new leaders. Administrators from underrepresented groups and women are stepping up but white men continue to represent the majority of new superintendents picked by school boards.
Camille Hibbler is moving from the interim role to full-time superintendent of Ferndale Public Schools near Detroit, Michigan. Hibbler had been serving as the district’s assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction and assessment and previously held leadership positions in several other area districts, including director of curriculum, principal, and dean of students.
Cherry Hill Public Schools in New Jersey has also promoted its acting superintendent, Kwame Morton, to become its next permanent leader. Morton has been an administrator in the district since 2008, having served as assistant superintendent for preK-12 and curriculum and instruction, and high school principal. In 2021, he was named New Jerseu Visionary Principal of the Year.
Carlos M. Cotto, Jr. was promoted at the Schenectady City School District to take over as superintendent on May 1. Cotto has been the New York district’s assistant superintendent of innovation, equity, and engagement since 2021. He also served as the executive director of health, physical education and athletics in Rochester City School District since 2008.
The Ridgefield School District in Washington has selected as its next leader Jenny Rodriquez, who is currently the assistant superintendent of teaching and learning in the Yakima School District and was previously a high school principal and executive director of teaching and learning in the Pasco School District.
In Texas, the Calvert Independent School District has named its principal, Latisha Crockett-Tennell, as the lone finalist for superintendent. “Ms. Crockett-Tennell’s vision for fostering an inclusive and dynamic learning environment aligns perfectly with the District values and goals,” Calvert ISD said in a statement.
Superintendent Joe Lopez is among the leaders moving to a new district. Lopez will take the helm of Greenville ISD in Texas in the coming weeks after having served as superintendent of Kermit ISD. Lopez was also the superintendent of Taft ISD.
Also in Texas, Edgar B. Camacho was the lone superintendent finalist at Sabinal ISD. Camacho, who is now the director of support services for Natalia ISD, was previously the superintendent of Baird and Freer ISDs.
And in New Mexico, Sharon Rowley, currently a principal in another district, has been chosen as the next superintendent of Portales Municipal Schools.
More superintendents are on the move
Several leaders have found new homes within the last week. Troy Lentz has been hired to lead the Mexico School District in Missouri after having been superintendent of Osceola Public Schools and the Norborne School District, KXEO reported. Joseph Libby, currently superintendent of Sibley East Public Schools in Minnesota, has been chosen to lead Sweetwater County School District No. 1 in Wyoming, SweewaterNOW reported.
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Casey Hallgarth is moving to the Baker School District in Oregon after having served as superintendent of the Prairie City School District since 2018, according to the Baker City Herald. In Texas, Archer City ISD has named Hico Superintendent Jon Hartgraves as its next superintendent. Hartgraves has previously served as superintendent of Hico and Gordon ISDs, the Archer County News reported.
And in Ohio, Orrville City Schools has picked Crestwood Local Schools Superintendent David Toth as its next superintendent.
More new leaders
Here are the incoming superintendents who have been hired elsewhere:
- Jason Bowman, Neshaminy School District (Pennsylvania)
- Jason Hostetler, Prairiland ISD (Texas)
- T. Kenneth James, Batesville School District (Arkansas)
- Stephen Linkous, Liberal Unified School District No. 480 (Kansas)
- Justin Shaffer, Camanche Community School District (Iowa)
- Zach Wigle, Fairfield Community School District (Iowa)
