Lancaster, Texas/Lancaster ISD
Lancaster ISD has been in a state of transformation for the past few years, and leading the charge has been its superintendent, Dr. Michael D. McFarland. Since his arrival, the district has improved its financial status, strengthened city and community partnerships, increased the graduation rate to where it is the highest among the Best Southwest member cities and is seeing gains in student achievement.
The transformation has not gone unnoticed and on Thursday, June 17, Region 10 Education Service Center confirmed Dr. McFarland as its Regional Superintendent of the Year.The Superintendent of the Year Program has honored outstanding Texas administrators for achievement and excellence in public school administration. Candidates are chosen for their strong leadership skills, dedication to improving the quality of education in their school districts, commitment to public support and involvement in education, and ability to build good employee relations among teachers and staff members.
“As superintendent of Lancaster ISD, Dr. McFarland has realized superior academic achievement,greatly improved fiscal management and amassed abundant community support,” Region 10 Chief Communications Officer Kelli Tharp said. “Through innovative programs such as the More Than a Diploma Initiative and the transformation of the instructional services department, Lancaster ISD achieved the highest academic rating and eight designations of distinction from TEA last year.
The Region 10 selection committee was impressed with the transformations Dr. McFarland has made thus far and enthusiastic about the vision he illustrated for the future.”
Tharp added that being named Superintendent of the Year in Region 10 is a window into the high functioning organization Dr. McFarland has established “The designation of Superintendent of the Year highlights the hard work and ambition of the Lancaster ISD staff, students, parents and community,” she said. “It is a rallying cry for the virtuous work that will most perceptibly continue under Dr. McFarland’s tenure.”
