Published: March 03, 2009 10:42 am      

Board to officially hire new superintendent

Staff report

Jacksonville ISD board members will meet at 6:30 today at the Administration Building for the final approval to hire Dr. Joe Wardell as the school district’s next superintendent.

The JISD Board of Trustees named Wardell as the lone finalist for the position at a special meeting in February, but there is a mandatory 21-day waiting period before the hiring becomes official.

Wardell, who is in his eighth year as superintendent of Anna ISD, spent four years with the Palestine ISD as a principal and as purchasing director. Wardell has been a teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal. Before Anna, he was superintendent of S&S Consolidated School District in Sadler for more than seven years. He also has worked in Carrollton-Farmers Branch and Plano districts.

He has a doctorate degree in Public School Administration from the University of North Texas. His original degree was earned at Texas A&M Commerce.

Wardell will replace Stuart Bird, who announced his retirement earlier in the school year after serving as the district’s superintendent since 2003.