Carroll Senior High School hires new principal for 2009-2010

Rhodes is the high school principal in Texas City where he has been since 2006.

The Carroll School Board approved a veteran administrator from Texas City Independent School District as the next principal of Carroll Senior High School. Mike Rhodes, a campus principal for nearly two decades, will begin his new duties as a Dragon in early July. He replaces Dr. Daniel Presley who accepted a position with Round Rock ISD for the 2009-2010 school year.

Carroll ISD

Mike Rhodes

Rhodes is the high school principal in Texas City where he has been since 2006. He was also a campus administrator in Andrews, Quitman and Dublin before that. His 28-year educational career began in 1981 as a history teacher and coach in Early, Texas. He also has teaching experience in Pecos Barstow Toyah ISD and at Tyler Junior College as an Adjunct Professor of Economics.

He was among 70 applicants for the senior high position and one of four who interviewed with a local committee of teachers, administrators and parents. The interview process was led by Dr. Lowell Strike, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, who also led a similar process for the hiring of Athletic Director Kevin Ozee and Carroll High School Principal PJ Giamanco. Ultimately, Rhodes was recommended to the Board of Trustees Tuesday by Superintendent David Faltys following a personal site visit to Texas City last week.

“Mike brings a wealth of knowledge and educational experience to Carroll and we’re looking forward to his leadership,” Dr. Faltys said. “I wanted to observe him interacting as a leader on his home campus to see firsthand the qualities and strengths identified by the interview committee. My visit to Texas City gave me a personal look at how Mike relates to students and staff. It only made me more certain that he is the best candidate to lead Carroll Senior High into the future.”

“I am excited to be a part of the leadership team here in Carroll and hope to work collaboratively with the administration and the teachers to promote kids and to help them be successful,” said Rhodes, who was present at the special-called Board meeting to consider his hiring Tuesday.

A graduate of Pflugerville High School, Rhodes earned his Bachelor of Science degree with a Social Science Composite in 1981 from Southwest Texas State University. He went on to earn his Masters in Education and his Mid Management Certificate in May 1990 and his Superintendent’s Certification in January 1996 from Sul Ross State University.

Rhodes was named the 2008 Texas City ISD Secondary Principal of the Year and was recognized as part of the Region 4 Secondary Principal of the Year program. He was named Outstanding Advocate of the Year in 2006 by the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented and was the Region 18 Outstanding Secondary Principal of the Year in 2001. Rhodes and his wife, Teri, have two children, a daughter, Jamye, 25, and a son, Rett, 22.

Source: Carroll ISD