News Summary
Killeen ISD Superintendent Jo Ann Fey has resigned effective immediately, transitioning to a new role at Northside ISD in San Antonio. The Killeen ISD Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting to discuss the appointment of an interim superintendent and begin the search for Fey’s successor. This change follows community dissatisfaction stemming from recent events, including a tragic incident at Smith Middle School. Fey’s departure is reportedly due to personal reasons, as she seeks to be closer to family.
Killeen, Texas – Killeen Independent School District (KISD) Superintendent Jo Ann Fey has officially announced her resignation, effective immediately. Fey will transition to a new role as the deputy superintendent of administration at Northside Independent School District (NISD) in San Antonio, a district that serves significantly more students than Killeen ISD.
The Killeen ISD Board of Trustees, under the leadership of President Brett E. Williams, has scheduled a special meeting for Saturday at 6 p.m. This meeting will focus on accepting Fey’s resignation and discussing the appointment of an interim superintendent. Additionally, preliminary discussions regarding the search process for her successor will be held during this session.
Fey’s decision to resign comes just months after a tragic stabbing incident at Smith Middle School in Killeen, which generated widespread community outrage and intensified calls for her resignation. The incident, which took place in early 2023, has been a pivotal point in the community’s dissatisfaction with district leadership.
Killeen ISD, which serves approximately 44,000 students, will now seek to find a new superintendent as it navigates this transition period. In comparison, Northside ISD in San Antonio serves nearly 100,000 students, which indicates a significant shift in the scale of administration Fey will be transitioning to.
Fey took the reins as Killeen ISD’s first female superintendent in July 2023, following the tenure of former superintendent John Craft. She was awarded a three-year contract extension in August 2024, which included a salary increase from $325,000 to $334,750. Prior to her resignation announcement, the Killeen ISD Board had been engaged in multiple closed sessions discussing Fey’s contract and performance evaluation, indicating ongoing scrutiny of her leadership.
As the board prepares for Fey’s departure, it has reaffirmed its commitment to community engagement. Board members have emphasized the importance of incorporating feedback from parents, staff, and the broader community in the upcoming search for a new superintendent. This focus reflects a desire for continuity and stability for students and staff as KISD navigates the organizational changes ahead.
Fey’s departure is reported to be motivated by personal reasons, as she seeks to be closer to her family, particularly her aging parents and an expected grandchild arriving this fall. This explanation has been met with a mixed response from the Killeen community. Social media discussions have seen over 80 comments reflecting both support and criticism of Fey’s tenure and decision to leave.
In light of these developments, President Williams has reiterated the board’s priority to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. The upcoming special meeting is expected to shed more light on the board’s strategies for maintaining stability while selecting a new leader for Killeen ISD, during a time when community cohesion is paramount following recent events.
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- Wikipedia: Killeen, Texas
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