Dr. Joe Lopez, the superintendent of Kermit Independent School District (KISD), has been named the TASB’s 2023 Superintendent of the Year for Region 18, a Friday press release announced. Dr. Lopez has led Kermit ISD since November of 2019, during that time his leadership has demonstrated open communication, innovation, teamwork, and an ability to improve student outcomes through building strong relationships in both the district and community.
Dr. Lopez has 23 years of experience in public education including leadership in Taft ISD, Mission CISD, and Alief ISD. His roles over his career include service as a teacher, middle school and high school assistant principal, elementary principal, high school principal, Executive Director for State and Federal Programs, and superintendent of schools. Over the course of Dr. Lopez’s career, he has developed a reputation for his ability to generate positive student outcomes and overall district-wide improvement. Below are a few of the many notable achievements since Dr. Lopez began leading KISD:
- Achieved 2022 Texas Education Agency Accountability Rating-B (85).
- Developed and Implemented a Five-Year Strategic Plan.
- Passed a $62 million bond.
- Added the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools Program.
- Developed new career pathway programs aligned to area industry at Kermit High School.
- Successfully increased teacher recruitment and retention for KISD.
- Supported and enhanced communication systems, upgraded the district website, and promoted positive social media to keep all stakeholders involved in the learning community.
- Supported and engaged community partners in the business community with a focus on eliminating opportunity gaps and promoting parent/community engagement.
Sponsored by TASB, the Superintendent of the Year program has recognized exemplary superintendents for excellence and achievement in educational leadership since 1984. Candidates are chosen for their strong leadership skills, dedication to improving educational quality, ability to build effective employee relations, student performance, and commitment to public involvement in education.
Superintendents from any of the state’s local school districts are eligible for nomination by their school boards. Local nominees are submitted to a regional selection committee, which chooses one nominee to send to the state selection committee.
