Forney ISD Approves Lone Finalist for Superintendent
The Forney Independent School District Board of Trustees recently approved a lone finalist for superintendent of schools for the District. The board unanimously approved Dr. Justin Terry, currently the District’s Deputy Superintendent of Schools, as the lone finalist during a special called board meeting on Tuesday, January 23, 2018. By state law, the board must wait at least 21 school days before formally offering Dr. Terry a contract of employment as the Superintendent of Schools for Forney ISD.
If approved, Dr. Terry will replace Suzanne McWilliams who recently announced her retirement effective at the end of the 2017-2018 school year.
“We did our due diligence throughout the selection process and it is the board’s belief that Dr. Terry is the perfect candidate to lead our District into the future,” said Forney ISD Board President Keith Bell. “He is innovative, financially judicious and is focused on continued academic excellence for all of our students.”
Dr. Terry has more than 18 years of experience in education. He joined Forney ISD in 2013 as the Assistant Superintendent of Accountability and Learning and was named the District’s Deputy Superintendent in 2014. During his tenure as Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Terry developed a systemic approach to the Forney ISD Collaborative Learning Community involving students, parents, businesses and community partnerships to ensure student success. Additional advancements under his leadership include implementing Brain Based Learning, the implementation of a 1:1 Chromebook program and developing the student Synergy program. Other enhancements include the development of new higher education partnerships for dual-credit courses, which have resulted in a 50 percent reduction in tuition expenses for students and an increase in student participation by 60 percent. Dr. Terry also oversaw the redesign of the District Career and Technology Education (CTE) Program as well as the development of a Future Ready Curriculum. He also led an advisory committee in developing and adopting the District of Innovation Plan for Forney ISD.
“Words cannot begin to describe how honored and humbled I am to be named the lone finalist for superintendent by our school board,” Dr. Terry said. “Forney ISD is an incredible District with amazing students and outstanding teachers and administrators. There is a passion for education and a drive and desire to succeed in the District and throughout the community. My family and I are excited about this opportunity and feel extremely blessed to continue to live and work in our wonderful community. I look forward to continuing our work toward excellence as a district as we strive to prepare all of our students for a successful future.”
Dr. Terry began his career in public education in 2001 and has worked in the Corsicana Mildred and Little Elm Independent School Districts as an Assistant Principal, Math Teacher and Baseball Coach. In 2006, Dr. Terry joined Wylie ISD as an Assistant Principal at Wylie High School and then was later named an Associate Principal. He also served as the Principal at Burnett Junior High in Wylie ISD before being named the Director of Academic and Career Connections for the District.
In his role with Wylie ISD, he oversaw secondary school organization, career programming, and character education. During his tenure he partnered with the Metroplex Technology Business Council to focus on the expansion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education throughout the region. He was also responsible for all aspects of the Career and Technology Education (CTE) program for the District.
Dr. Terry received his Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Kinesiology from East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas and he earned his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Study from the University of Texas in Arlington. He earned his Doctorate of Education from Texas A&M Commerce in Commerce, Texas. He has a Texas Superintendent Certification, a Texas Principal Certification, a Texas Teacher’s Certification in Mathematics, an Instructional Leadership Development Certification and a certification in the Professional Development and Appraisal System and the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System.
"After working alongside Dr. Terry for the last four years, I could not be more thrilled that the Board chose this amazing leader as their lone finalist,” said current Forney ISD Superintendent Suzanne McWilliams. “I can now retire with confidence knowing I am leaving the district in extremely capable hands, and I will look forward to watching Forney ISD soar to new heights in the future!"
