Coppell Chronicle Vol. 5, No. 30
“The Right Superintendent at the Right Time” • Lakeside Traffic Study Deemed Unnecessary • Firm Manages Multiple Shopping Centers • Coppell ISD Continues National Merit Success
“The Right Superintendent at the Right Time”
The next superintendent of Coppell ISD has a background in the district, but the Board of Trustees still broke new ground with their choice.
Leanne Shivers, who was named the lone finalist on Sept. 8, will be the first woman to hold the superintendent’s title without the “interim” tag. Vonita White served as Coppell ISD’s interim superintendent twice, and Sandra Stuckey did so once.
Shivers began her career more than 25 years ago as a teacher in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD before she was hired as an assistant principal in Southlake’s Carroll ISD. Her resume includes a stint as associate principal at Coppell High School prior to serving as principal at Coppell Middle School North and New Tech High. She left Coppell ISD a decade ago to become a district administrator in Keller ISD, where her current title is assistant superintendent of secondary education.
Keller ISD … yikes. Coppell ISD residents may think things have been dramatic around here lately, due to the closure of Pinkerton Elementary, the decision to move New Tech High onto the Coppell High campus, and the likelihood that two more elementaries will be shuttered next spring. But I’m here to tell you that we’ve been backstroking in buttermilk relative to what’s been going on a few districts to our west. This is just a sampling of the trustee-induced drama Keller ISD has experienced this year:
Jan. 9: After weeks of rumors about a secret plan to split the district in two, Trustees Chelsea Kelley and Joni Smith published coordinated Facebook posts saying such discussions had taken place behind closed doors. Smith’s post said the plan was devised by three trustees — John Birt, Charles Randklev, and Micah Young.
Jan. 16: An overflow crowd showed up at a board meeting to speak against the potential split. During this meeting, Superintendent Tracy Johnson said she was prepared to resign over the idea, which she opposed. She’d held the superintendent’s position for only 13 months, after four years as Keller ISD’s chief human resources officer.
Jan. 30: Trustees made Cory Wilson the district’s interim superintendent. He had been the assistant superintendent of educational services.
Feb. 7: About 200 students walked out of Keller ISD high schools to protest the idea of splitting the district.
Feb. 20: Trustees voted to accept Johnson’s resignation.
May 3: Two new trustees were elected. Randy Campbell won the seat left open by Young’s decision not to run, and Jennifer Erickson defeated Smith. Kelley cruised to another term despite drawing three challengers.
May 20: Trustees voted to post their superintendent vacancy but accept internal candidates only.
June 5: Trustees named Wilson their lone finalist for the job.
Regarding that “lone finalist” phrasing: In 1995, the Texas Legislature added a provision to the state laws about open government and public information. It says the names of applicants for a superintendent’s job can be kept confidential, but “the board of trustees must give public notice of the name or names of the finalists being considered for the position at least 21 days before the date of the meeting at which a final action or vote is to be taken on the employment of the person.” That’s why Coppell ISD cannot officially hire Shivers until Sept. 29.
We shouldn’t expect any hiccups on that date. When Coppell ISD’s trustees unanimously voted to name Shivers their lone finalist, all seven of them were singing from the same sheet of music. Here are some of their comments during the Sept. 8 meeting:
Jonathan Powers: “She has stood out amongst a field of phenomenal candidates, and I could not be more excited to have her join us up here on this dais.”
Jobby Mathew: “Her history and experience make her well-positioned to honor the past of Coppell ISD, operate in the present, and to lead us into the future.”
Leigh Walker: “When I think of our very first superintendent, W.W. Pinkerton, all the way to our most recent superintendent, Dr. Brad Hunt, you know, when we’ve made the call — when Coppell ISD has made the call — the right superintendent has appeared; we’ve had the right superintendent at the right time. And I think Dr. Shivers is just a continuation of the right superintendent at the right time.”
Lakeside Traffic Study Deemed Unnecessary
Before Leanne Shivers’ right time can begin on Sept. 29, Coppell ISD’s trustees will have one more meeting without her on Sept. 22. That’s when the administration will offer a recommendation regarding elementary school closures in 2026.
Five schools are candidates for closure: Austin, Cottonwood Creek, Lakeside, Mockingbird, and Town Center. But Lakeside is unique among that group because plans have been submitted to the city regarding an expansion of the school.