New Cedar Hill ISD superintendent receives warm welcome

by Loyd Brumfield of of Cedar Hill TODAY

New Cedar Hill Schools Superintendent Horace Williams is often asked how he could possibly leave the Diboll School District, with a high school that is "literally surrounded by an 18-hole golf course."

The answer is Cedar Hill came through with some unbeatable benefits, courtesy of some of its school board members, Williams said.

"The perks were just too good to pass up," Williams told an audience who officially welcomed him to the district March 8 at the Cedar Hill Ninth Grade Center. "I have 24-hour medical access compliments of Dr. (Mike) Marshall, 24-hour insurance availability compliments of Ms. (Valerie) Banks and 24-hour banking compliments of Ms. (Sonya) Grass."

In all seriousness, Williams promised to throw himself into the job, pledging to hold community town hall-type meetings every two or three months so families can meet with central administrators, board members and principals.

"The real work here is done by the principals, and I'd like to thank them," he said.

Williams also said the district will develop three five-year plans: for education, fiscal issues and facility plans.

"You've got a lot of good plans already in place, and we're not going to change them," he said. "We just want to improve them."

Williams also thanked his "real boss," Executive Administrator Karlas Avalos, and the Cedar Hill Jazz Band, which provided music.

He also introduced the crowd to a couple of new hires: Dr. Homer Carter, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and James Henderson, assistant superintendent of personnel.

"I'm not used to standing in front of a microphone and being a stationary target," Williams said at the start of his remarks. "Because, as you know, a stationary target is very easy to hit."

Board President Daniel Hernandez introduced Williams and told the audience about the process to find him.

"We started looking over the summer, and it was something we took very, very seriously," he said. "We worked really hard during the six-month period (leading up to Williams' hiring)."

Hernandez introduced board members Grass, Banks, Marshall, Amy Allen, Terrel Nemons and Randy Gaubert.

"We want to raise standards, increase accountability and really do what is in the best interests of the kids," Hernandez said.

Williams said everyone has been welcoming.

"Everyone has come to me and said, 'How can we help?'" he said. "That's more than just words. It's what makes this community special."

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