Jennifer Perry Middleton /Jefferson Jimplecute
Michael Walker was named Jefferson Independent School District’s new superintendent during a regular Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday. He replaces Rob Barnwell, who served for nine years as superintendent of the district and a total of 34 years in education.
Board president Leah Cooper presented Barnwell with a plaque commemorating his service to the district, and Barnwell thanked her and the board for all they’ve done during his tenure as a Bulldog.
“Of course you make a few friends along the way when you teach,” he said emotionally, “but let me tell you something. The best people on the earth are right here.”
Walker has been serving as JISD’s assistant superintendent since August 2021, and has spent 25 years in education. He previously served as principal of Jefferson High School.
A native of Avinger, Walker is a 1995 graduate of Avinger High School and a 1999 graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University with a double major in biology and kinesiology. He earned a master’s degree in educational administration in 2007 from Texas A&M University-Texarkana, where he also earned his principal and superintendent certifications
He has worked at McLeod ISD, Ore City ISD and Hughes Springs ISD.
Walker begins his new position Jan. 1, 2023.
In other business, trustees held a public hearing on the school’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas score for 2021-22. Barnwell stated that the district received a Superior rating, the highest rating possible in the system, which is part of the state’s school accountability system. He said there were 20 criteria this year, and that JISD’s finances scored 100 and commended District Financial Director Mike Wood on his work, along with that of the members of the school’s business office.
“Thank you,” Wood said. “I have a good team.”
The board also heard a report from Patti Wallace with the Marion County Appraisal District. She said they sold 20 of 26 parcels during last week’s sale of lake and city lots, netting $100,000. “That’s pretty remarkable for lake lots and city lots,” Wallace told the board.
She added that the next sale will be March 7 and it will include lake and city lots, along with struck-off properties that had been previously offered but hadn’t sold.
In addition, trustees approved budget amendments during Tuesday’s meeting. One was for approximately $10,000 in attorney and processing fees related to hiring a teacher from the Philippines. Another was for Security Safety Products for $57,000 to replace classroom doors in the elementary school. The doors have vents in the bottom that help with ventilation, but aren’t secure in an emergency event. Additional ductwork will be needed when those doors are replaced. The elementary and high school cafeteria doors will also be replaced. A final amendment for $211,000 was approved for finalizing the football stadium renovation project.
Members also approved a contract with OMNIA Intergovernmental Purchasing Co-op, which was previously the U.S. Communities Purchasing Co-op, which holds the Amazon contract through which the district uses to purchase items online. JISD has been with the group since 1999, and the name has now just changed.