Dear Abilene ISD Community,
On Wednesday night, our Board of Trustees named me the lone finalist to serve as the next superintendent of schools for Abilene ISD. I am humbled by their trust. I am honored by the opportunity to lead our district into the future. Most of all, I am proud to serve our incredible students alongside each of you.
Abilene is home, and our home is built on a foundation of special relationships. Marijon and I wake up every day filled with gratitude that we were called to serve Abilene students, families, neighbors, friends, and colleagues. Our daughter, Ivy, truly loves being a Madison Bison. She has made friendships that are deeply rooted in her heart and learned from teachers that will influence her for a lifetime. We are so glad to be home.
Over the past seven years, I have had the privilege of working shoulder-to-shoulder with you in classrooms, on campuses, in board meetings, in budget workshops, in operations, and in our community. I have seen this community’s commitment to its children first hand. I have seen your heart, your resilience, and your refusal to give up on great outcomes for our kids. I could not be more excited to continue our work together!
And, I have great news for all of us: Abilene ISD has amazing momentum, and our momentum is building. Our responsibility is clear:
Raise the floor for every student at every school
Increase the number of A and B seats at every campus
Develop strong teachers and principals
Promote attendance and community engagement
Protect fiscal responsibility while investing in classrooms
The path to making this vision a reality is already being built upon innovative, people-centered systems that support strong, student-centered schools. We will keep our focus on promoting positive adult and student behaviors that drive positive adult and student results. Along the way, I promise that we will never lose sight of doing what is best for our students.
Thriving Texas communities depend on strong public schools, and Abilene ISD is the heartbeat of the city of Abilene. The evidence that we are capable of achieving this grand vision already fills our halls every day. I believe in Abilene ISD, and I am certain we have only just begun to capitalize on our momentum toward our community’s brightest future.
Thank you for inspiring me and blessing me and my family with your trust, confidence, and friendship. Let’s keep serving. Let’s keep improving. Let’s keep our students at the center. Doing the right thing for them will never be the wrong thing for Abilene.
Let’s go!
Dr. Joe Waldron, Ed.D.
Lone Finalist, Superintendent of Schools