THRALL ISD
THRALL — Superintendent Tommy Hooker is stepping down after 15 years at the helm of the Thrall Independent School District.
The veteran educator wants to begin the next chapter of his life, which includes spending time with a new grandchild, he told trustees during a meeting this past week.
In related business, school board members are also considering the purchase of a parcel of land to the east of Thrall High School. The property is owned by Stiles Farm Foundation, and manager Ryan Collett has approached Thrall ISD about buying it.
Meanwhile, Hooker will be given the status of “emeritus superintendent” and officially retire Dec. 31.
At the board’s next meeting, an interim superintendent will be named.
“We will be in the process of identifying a new superintendent and Hooker will also help pick his successor for a smooth transition,” said school board President Bryan Holubec.
As an emeritus superintendent, Hooker remains a district employee until the end of the year, but he will have no administrative authority after June, officials said.
“He will be an adviser to the interim (superintendent),” Holubec said. Meanwhile, the Stiles Farm Foundation offer and what to build if the land is acquired also occupied trustees, including a presentation from Justin Bell, principal lead at WRA Architects of Georgetown.
The foundation is a nearly 3,000-acre farm and education site managed by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. It is a “living laboratory” for the study of the Blackland Prairie, showcasing sustainable agriculture that includes cattle, crops and new technology, officials said.
During the meeting, Bell discussed his company’s plans if the board chooses to work with the firm, including insight into other schools built by WRA Architects.
He has advised Hooker on the potential Stiles Farm Foundation land purchase.
“(Building schools) is 90% what our firm does. We focus fully on public education,” Bell said. “We can do anything from master planning, bond planning, facility assessments and, of course, architecture and interiors as well.”
Thrall’s eventual expansion plans include a new, larger high school, with Thrall Middle School moving into the current high school, leaving the career and technical education and athletic buildings between the two campuses for easier use by both.
“We are not ready for this expansion yet, but we will be in about six years,” Holubec said.
The next meeting is 6 p.m. June 23 at 601 S. Bounds St. No meeting will be held in July.
