Former
Mesquite ISD Superintendent Ralph Poteet (left) and current
superintendent Linda Henrie are both Texas A&M University-Commerce
alumni. There have been only four Mesquite ISD superintendents since
1964, all A&M-Commerce alumni.
(Commerce)—The average tenure of school superintendents in Texas is less than five years. The Mesquite Independent School District, however, has not only had just four school superintendents since 1964—but all four are graduates of Texas A&M University-Commerce.
A&M-Commerce is ranked first in Texas for principal production, second in superintendent production, and third in school counselor production over the past 10 years.
"A&M-Commerce is a diverse campus that is still small enough for you to actually know someone," said James Terry, former Mesquite superintendent who is now halftime assistant professor at A&M-Commerce's College of Education and Human Services. "It not only has a warm feel, but places emphasis on preparing outstanding educators and administrators. It is a leader in the state."
The Mesquite ISD, too, is renowned statewide. It is large, with five high schools, more than 35,000 students and about 4,000 staff. Three of the high schools are rated 5A, the highest in a system of Texas school size classification.
More importantly, the Mesquite superintendents have created a legacy of excellence in student performance that is known throughout Texas.
They achieved this through a philosophy that has the best interest of the child at heart, fiscal responsibility, using competitive salaries to hire good teachers, promoting from within, and by providing teachers with opportunities to develop and earn their master's degrees.
"I think it is exceptional to find four superintendents over such a long period who are all alumni of the same university," said Frank Ashley, dean of education and human services at A&M-Commerce.
"We have a rich tradition of providing leaders in education—John Horn was named Outstanding Superintendent by the Texas Association of School Administrators and James Terry was named Outstanding Administrator by the Association of Texas Professional Educators."
Both have made the cover of Texas School Business magazine. Linda Henrie also made the cover as president of Texas Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development.
“The Mesquite ISD has benefited from the continuity by having leaders that understand the needs of the district, a factor that has helped make it one of the premier districts in the state of Texas," said Ashley.
Ralph Poteet is the first of the A&M-Commerce–educated Mesquite superintendents. He established core principles, such as continuous improvement, that serve the district to this day.
Poteet became superintendent in 1964 and stayed with the school district for 22 years before retirement. When he entered the position, the district had "just one high school," he remembers.
John Horn, who was superintendent for 15 years, followed Poteet. "It's a district that creates a family connection," said Horn. "There is a lot of support from the community. We are all working for a cause that is important and is something bigger than ourselves."
Horn's successor, Dr. James Terry, chanced to meet Poteet in a school hallway. Poteet convinced him that he was more likely to be promoted in a smaller district than the one in which he was then working.
Terry moved to Mesquite, where he earned a reputation for integrity and standing up for what is right throughout his career. He served the district for 38 years, first as a math teacher and then in a number of other positions including deputy superintendent in 1989, assuming the superintendent role in 2001.
"We have outstanding people," said Terry. "Mesquite reflects what is going on in the state of Texas. We have hired bilingual teachers and established programs to meet the changing needs of our student population."
Linda Henrie is the first woman to lead the Mesquite ISD. She became superintendent in 2005 following Terry's retirement, after serving as deputy superintendent since 2001. She began her career at Mesquite High School in 1967 as a business teacher before becoming assistant superintendent for instructional services and filling a variety of administrative roles.
"We are all on the same page," said Henrie. "We all work together in the best interests of the child. That is why we exist." When she first started at work as a teacher at the district, she says she had no idea she would one day head it.
With the opening of the eighth Mesquite ISD middle school in 2006, the James P. Terry Middle School, each of the past A&M-Commerce educated superintendents will have a school named after them.
"I have to pinch myself," said Horn. "Having a road named for you is nice, but having a school with your name is special."