| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, Respected and accomplished Katy Independent School |
|
|
District superintendent Dr. Leonard Merrell is retiring from his |
|
|
post on June 30, 2007, after 12 years of exceptional service to that |
|
|
district; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Chosen as Katy superintendent in 1995, Dr. Merrell |
|
|
has ably guided one of the fastest-growing school districts in the |
|
|
state; during his tenure, the student population of Katy has |
|
|
doubled, rising from 25,000 to more than 50,000, and to serve them |
|
|
the district has opened 20 new campuses, four performing arts |
|
|
centers, and three ninth-grade complexes; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, In addition to directing that expansion, Dr. Merrell |
|
|
has overseen the completion of a comprehensive curriculum revision |
|
|
process and the implementation of an online management system for |
|
|
administrators and teachers; the strength of the district during |
|
|
his watch is reflected in the "recognized" rating that Katy ISD has |
|
|
earned from the state for nine of the past 10 years; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, In recognition of Dr. Merrell's outstanding |
|
|
leadership, the Katy ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously in |
|
|
2005 to name its new multipurpose center in his honor; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Before taking the helm of Katy ISD, Dr. Merrell |
|
|
served as superintendent of the Texas City ISD and Sulphur Springs |
|
|
ISD; altogether, he has led school districts for 22 of the 39 years |
|
|
he has dedicated to the field of education; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Throughout Dr. Merrell's illustrious career, |
|
|
numerous organizations have taken note of his achievements; named |
|
|
the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2003 and |
|
|
the American Association of School Administrators Texas |
|
|
Superintendent of the Year for 1997-1998, he was also designated a |
|
|
finalist for the Texas Computer Education Association |
|
|
Superintendent of the Year award in 2005; moreover, Dr. Merrell has |
|
|
served as president of the Texas Association of School |
|
|
Administrators; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Committed to creating an educational environment in |
|
|
which each student has a respected place and is taught to the best |
|
|
of his or her abilities, Dr. Leonard Merrell has made contributions |
|
|
to the Katy ISD that will benefit the community and its students for |
|
|
many years to come; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby commend Dr. Leonard Merrell on the occasion of |
|
|
his retirement as superintendent of the Katy Independent School |
|
|
District and extend to him sincere best wishes for happiness and |
|
|
fulfillment in the years ahead; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
|
prepared for Dr. Merrell as an expression of high regard by the |
|
|
Texas House of Representatives. |