McKinney BubbleLife - https://mckinney.bubblelife.com
McKinney ISD Board Approves Rick McDaniel and David Spann for Key Leadership Positions

At their regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening, the McKinney ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve current McKinney Boyd High School Principal Rick McDaniel as the new McKinney ISD Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and David Spann as the district’s new Chief Information Officer. 
 
Each of those positions became available this month when Deputy Superintendent Mary Clark left to pursue an opportunity in the private sector and Chief Information Officer Allen McDaniel relocated to Maryland after accepting a position with a school district in that state.
 
Jennifer Peirson, associate principal for McKinney Boyd High School, will serve as interim principal until a permanent replacement is named. 
 
Rick McDaniel: Assistant Superintendent for Student Services
 
Over the course of 27 years in public education, Rick McDaniel has served in several vital leadership roles and has left a positive impact at each stage of the journey. He began his career in Tyler ISD as a coach and physics teacher at Moore Middle School. The following year, McDaniel transferred to Robert E. Lee High School, where he went on to become the science department chairperson and then an assistant principal in 1997. Four years later, he was hired as the principal of James Hogg Middle School, and then in 2003, he was chosen to lead as principal of Robert E. Lee High School.
 
When McDaniel joined McKinney ISD in 2006 to serve as principal of the newly constructed McKinney Boyd High School, he did so with an emphasis on promoting high academic standards and cultivating a strong school culture that would foster learning and a sense of safety for every student. Behind much of that school’s success, one finds the leadership of McDaniel.
 
“I’m excited to say that Rick McDaniel is going to be our assistant superintendent for student services for McKinney ISD,” Superintendent Dr. J.D. Kennedy said. “He’s proven himself to be a tremendous leader as high school principal at Boyd for the past eight years. He knows how to work with staff and the community to get things done in a positive way.”
 
As assistant superintendent for student services, McDaniel will be primarily responsible for supervising the District’s secondary principals and overseeing advanced academics as well as career and technical education.
 
“He will also be working with us on all aspects of student services in the district," Kennedy said. “He has experience not only as a high school principal, but he’s also served as a middle school principal and has shown the ability to really do an effective job working with others.”
 
McDaniel earned his Bachelor of Science from Stephen F. Austin University, his Master of Education from the University of Texas at Tyler and is scheduled to complete his doctorate from the University of North Texas this year. 
 
“I am honored to have been named assistant superintendent of student services for McKinney ISD,” McDaniel said. “I can honestly say that my level of anticipation and excitement as I enter in to this new role for the district is as high as it was when I was first given the opportunity to open McKinney Boyd eight years ago. My commitment to this district will continue to be high as I work in this new capacity. I personally would like to thank the many teachers and staff members of McKinney Boyd that have helped to create such a special place. I am leaving Boyd in the very capable hands of its true creators…the faculty and staff. Again, I look forward to this new chapter in my professional career and look forward to serving McKinney ISD for what I hope is the remainder of my career.” 
 
David Spann: Chief Information Officer
 
David Spann is no stranger to education in North Texas. He has served public education in the heart of Collin County for some 32 years with the Allen, Plano and Wylie school districts. 
 
“I’ve known David for many years,” Kennedy said. “We worked together in Allen in the past, and one thing that I’ve always noticed about David is his sincerity and his ability to get things done in an organized manner. He’s very thorough and understands classroom teachers and the challenges they face and will gear his efforts to make sure that we are providing the right technology for our teachers.”
 
Spann began his career with Allen ISD as a teacher and coach at Ford Middle School and then at Allen High School. From 1992–1999, he served as an assistant principal at Allen High School, Curtis Middle School and Carpenter Middle School, and in the fall of 1999, he transitioned to Wylie ISD to serve as Director of Technology Services. 
 
Ten years later, he returned to Allen ISD, this time serving as Executive Director of Technology Services. Now, after five years in Allen, he joins McKinney ISD as Chief Information Officer. 
 
“I’m really excited to come to McKinney,” Spann said, addressing the school board on Tuesday night. “Technology can have a tremendous impact on the quality of education our kids receive. In the future, students will have to be able to problem solve and think and be able to create solutions to problems. Technology can enhance that, so I look forward to working with all the principals and all the kids throughout McKinney, and I thank the board for giving me this opportunity.” 
 
Spann’s leadership in the area of technology has been marked by progress and improvement with an emphasis on enhancing student learning through technology integration in the classroom. Projects under his leadership in Wylie ISD and Allen ISD have been featured in several case studies by Microsoft, Hewlett Packard and Safari Montage among others. 
 
Spann earned his Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education and his Master of Education in Education Administration from East Texas State University.
 
For additional information on McKinney ISD, contact Shane Mauldin, MISD Communications Coordinator, at 469-302-4007 or smauldin@mckinneyisd.net.
 
Story courtesy of Shane Mauldin

Thursday, 30 January 2014