Brent Jaco, the superintendent of Pecos-Barstow-Toyah Independent School District (PBTISD), has been named the Texas Association of School Board’s 2024 Superintendent of the Year for Region 18.
Jaco has led PBTISD since 2020. Under his tenure, PBTISD has witnessed a transformative leadership, management, and school climate shift. With Jaco’s steadfast leadership, the district has established a consistent and visionary leadership foundation, providing stability and fostering collaboration and growth, a news release said.
He has 26 years of experience in public education, including leadership in Galveston ISD, Brazosport ISD, Texas Association of Secondary School Principals, and PBTISD. His roles over his career include service as a teacher, athletic director, assistant principal, principal, chief of staff, and superintendent. Throughout Jaco’s career, he has developed a reputation for profoundly impacting the lives of students, educators, and community members.
Below are a few of the many notable achievements since Mr. Jaco began leading PBTISD:
- Passed a combined $625.2 million in bonds in May 2021 and May 2023. With the 2021 Bond is projected to be paid off this summer of 2024.
- Implemented strong government accounting principles to achieve clean audits for the past three years.
- Improved academics and implemented a community-wide reading coalition.
- Launched a community-wide Strategic Planning process involving over 150 stakeholders.
- Improved safety and security procedures across district facilities.
- Worked closely with the Board to develop an advocacy agenda to share with state and national elected officials on the needs of public education and community needs.
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.
