The school board made its decision with a 6-0 vote during a special meeting Tuesday night.
Dr. Battershell has been superintendent in Salado for 10 years. She thanked the employees and board there for their support.
“They’re my friends, and they’re great,” she said during a phone interview Tuesday night after the TISD meeting.
“Salado’s in a good place,” she said of the Class 2A school district. “All the processes and systems are in place and we’ve worked hard to achieve that.”
She said that moving to a Class 5A school district is probably just meant to be.
“Some times things are supposed to be on our paths. I think this is on mine,” she said. “And I’m honored. I’m just really honored.”
Dr. Battershell said she will finish the school year in Salado then start in Temple on June 1, pending final approval by the board.
“I can’t wait to meet the students,” she said. “And I’ll be visiting with staff, the community and parents. We’ll see what works well, and what doesn’t.”
Dr. Battershell added that she commends the TISD board of trustees for going through the selection process. “It’s grueling,” she said.
Steve Wright, president of the Temple school board, said after the meeting that he anticipates Mrs. Battershell will bring unity to the district.
“We are very pleased with the way this process has been carried out from start to finish,” he said. “We have a very strong 7-0 vote. I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome.”
“Every member of the board was very supportive of this decision,” he said, explaining what he meant by a “strong” 7-0 vote.
The vote was actually 6-0. David Pennington, who was out of town judging UIL band contest, showed support for Dr. Battershell via a letter.
“If present, my vote would definitely be an enthusiastic ‘yes’ to hire Dr. Battershell,” he wrote. “I wanted there to be no question of my support.”
Mary Klentzman, school board member, said during the meeting that the process has benefited the district.
“The whole process has taught us a great deal about what we need to look for in a superintendent,” she said. “And we appreciate the community involvement and input into this process. We believe we have found that person that has so many of the criteria that you desired.”
Wright said he anticipates that the district’s recent history of losing superintendents has ended with the hiring of Dr. Battershell “… because of the innovative approach she brings,” he said. “She has very strong leadership characteristics - a proven background of strong leadership.”
Jeff Kelley, Salado Independent School District board president, said the district would miss Dr. Battershell.
“She served our district real well. She’s going to be sorely missed in this district,” he said. “But she will be a real asset for the Temple ISD.”
He said she was very involved with her staff in Salado.
“She cares about her staff, professionally and personally,” he said. “She does not over-manage and tries to get the best people into the right positions.”
He said he learned of her potential departure on Tuesday.
Judy Morales and Rosa Hernandez, who attended the TISD meeting, said they are pleased with the decision.
“I think it’s an exciting announcement,” Ms. Morales said. “I think (she) has shown that she can bring the community together and unite the students and parents and the whole district.”
Ms. Hernandez said, “I’m showing my support not only to her but to the kids of the TISD to let them know that education is the No. 1 priority for all of our children.”
According to John Gauntt, attorney for the school district, details of a contract would not be made public until it is approved by the school board no sooner than 21 days after the date of the announcement and the contract is signed.
“There is no contract at this time - we are only naming a finalist,” Gauntt said. “The school district cannot have a contract until the statutory time of 21 days passes from the time of the announcement of a sole finalist.”
He did say it would be a three- year, rolling contract, which is up for renewal each year.
According to Regina Baird, public relations director for TISD, the board will have the contract on its agenda May 1. If approved, it will be signed at that time.
Wright said Dr. Dana Marable, who has served in the interim superintendent position since September 2007, will continue to serve the district in an interim role until the end of the school year and will participate in graduation ceremonies.
The district received 42 applications for the superintendent position from as far away as Alaska. The final five were from various regions in Texas.
Dr. Benjamin Canada of Texas Association of School Boards Executive Search Services conducted the superintendent search.
Dr. Battershell has a doctorate of education from Baylor University. She began her career teaching third grade and has worked as a special education counselor and supervisor, coordinator of special programs and served as interim director of curriculum in Killeen ISD.
She was executive director of the Greater Fort Hood Communities in Schools and served as a consultant to the National Communities in Schools in Washington, D.C.
She is married and has three grown children.
