July 9, 2008 - Superintendent Vernon Newsom announced today that he is retiring from Mansfield ISD in June 2009. Newsom has served as the Superintendent of Mansfield ISD since 1996. In that time, the district has grown from one high school to four. The district has also opened the Ben Barber Career Tech Academy, and 23 other school facilities. He oversaw the creation of the Mansfield ISD Education Foundation, which has now raised over $1 million to support innovative education projects in the district.
"This was a very difficult decision for me," said Superintendent Vernon Newsom. "I have invested a great deal of my working life in Mansfield ISD and the entire journey has been extremely rewarding. This is a great place and a great school community. I want to thank students, parents, and the entire community for affording me the chance to serve this school district.
The time is right for me to move on in June of next year. I look forward to retirement and spending more time with family. For anyone who might be concerned about the coming transition, I want them to know that we have an excellent executive staff in the district and an exemplary school board to take on this task. "
An integral part of this plan was the creation of the Deputy Superintendent position in 2007. With the support of the Mansfield ISD Board of Trustees, Newsom has created a transitional leadership team within the district. The Mansfield ISD School Board will now begin drafting a process to hire a new superintendent for Mansfield ISD. There is currently no established time line or process defined. Details will be made available to the public and MISD Staff as soon as they are available.
"We will certainly be sorry to see Mr. Newsom go next summer," said Gale Moericke, MISD Board President. "As someone who grew up in Mansfield ISD, it is impressive to think back on his accomplishments. He was truly the right leader at the right time, as he was able to guide the district through a time of tremendous growth and change. I am confident that the district will move through the transition well, and the board will select the right person for the job."
Newsom's legacy will continue on in the programs of Mansfield ISD and at the state level. A few highlights include:
- In June, he embarked on a trip to China with Dr. Bob Morrison as a guest of the Chinese Hanban Agency on the eve of the MISD offering Mandarin Chinese as an elective for the first time next year.
- The district has passed six successful bond elections. The most recent, a $241.5 million election in 2006, will fund the construction of the district's fifth high school and other school projects.
- Newsom has served as the past study group chair of Region XI Texas Association of School Administrators, TASA Executive Committee; previous Chairman of UIL Legislative Council, current chair of the UIL Legislative Council Athletic Committee, and past President of Texas Association of Suburban and Mid-Urban Schools (TASMUS.)
Mansfield ISD is currently one of the fastest growing school districts in Texas. The district currently operates four high schools, a Career Tech Academy, and a variety of other schools and programs. The district will open its 20 th elementary school, Louise Cabaniss Elementary, in Grand Prairie this fall.
The district will no longer offer eSembler for student grades and attendance. This information and much more will soon be offered through a new parent portal system through Infinite Campus. Parents and students will be able to go to one place and find student information on grades, attendance, schedules, fees, class assignments and other pertinent information.
