Superintendent candidate meets community

McALLEN — The McAllen school district's lone finalist for superintendent hasn't been hired yet, but he is already receiving high marks from educators and community leaders.

James J. Ponce met Thursday with his potential students and employees and others from the community during a series of meetings in McAllen.

"I think he's going to be a good fit for the community," said Steve Ahlenius, president and chief executive officer of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce.

The school board announced Ponce as its lone finalist April 3. By law, the board must wait 21 days from then before it can negotiate a contract with him.

Ponce is currently the deputy chief of staff for the Dallas school district, where he has worked for 16 years as a bilingual teacher, principal and administrator.

He is expected to receive his doctorate in education in May from the Cooperative Superintendency Program at the University of Texas at Austin and is finalizing his paperwork to receive a superintendent's certificate from the State Board for Educator Certification.

His hiring is contingent upon meeting those requirements, school board members said. But the positive response he received from educators and community leaders reaffirmed the trustees' decision to consider him.

Ponce spent Thursday morning visiting the school district's three high schools, where he spoke with principals from elementary, middle and high schools about his experience and hopes for the district if hired. He also met with students at each high school. Afterward, he spoke with community leaders during a Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the McAllen Convention Center.

In his speeches to educators and community leaders, Ponce said it takes an entire community's efforts to improve a district and prepare students for college and the workforce.

"We all know the viability of a community runs through the school system," he said. "We know it's very critical to have partnerships."

The district must use what resources it has as well as work with the community to obtain those it doesn't to make sure children are being served, he said.

Principals also are critical to the district's success, Ponce said, because they are the chief executive officers of their schools and work with all stakeholders: parents, teachers, administrators and students.

"Everything we want to happen at the district runs through you," he said while addressing school principals.

They, for their part, said they feel optimistic about the superintendent hopeful and believe he would be a good fit for the district.

"He sounds very positive," said Rosie Larson, principal of McAllen Memorial High School. "I think we're going to see a lot of good things coming."

Jose Gonzalez, principal of Rodney Cathey Middle School, said he liked Ponce's approach to education.

"It says a lot about him, trying to get all the stakeholders involved," Gonzalez said.

Ponce said he sought the McAllen superintendent position because he was impressed by the strong sense of community and pride in the school district. He and his wife, Katherine, also saw McAllen as a fitting place to raise their three boys, ages 5, 7 and 8.

Thursday's visit was Ponce's third to McAllen. On previous trips he sat in on a Parent-Teacher Organization meeting, had lunch at a couple of schools and attended a basketball game.

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Jennifer L. Berghom covers education and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4462.