Loving schools staff recommend high school principal as superintendent

LOVING — Teachers and staff with Loving Municipal Schools urged the school board to hire Loving High School principal Lee White as the new superintendent for the 2018-19 school year.

More than 10 staff members attended a special meeting Wednesday and presented a letter to the board recommending White for the position. 

"Mr. Write continually demonstrates a complete commitment to both the district and community since being hired as principal of Loving High School," stated a letter signed by multiple staff members. "He is the first to spearhead any initiative that benefits students and staff. He is also one of the most genuine and caring administrators that has come through our district."

Current superintendent Ann Lynn McIlroy submitted a letter of resignation at an April 17 regular meeting, after announcing she was recently hired as superintendent of the Roswell Independent School District.

More: Loving superintendent to resign, named Roswell superintendent

Loving High School college advisor Paula Wallace submitted an individual letter to the school board, also in support of White.

Wallace, who has been with the school district since 2014, wrote in her letter that White "knows how to manage and collaborate with teachers, coaches, students, parents, citizens and politicians."

"He has a wealth of experience, exceptional understanding of school finance, and he has institutional knowledge of this district's happenings," Wallace wrote. "Naming Lee White as superintendent would establish a cohesive transition and maintain the excellent and effective programs developed under the outgoing superintendent."

White, who has been the high school principal the last four years, said he plans to apply for the position.

"It's extremely humbling because the staff that's been put together here in Loving is probably some of the most outstanding staff members I've had the pleasure of working with," he said. "And to know that you have their trust and their support has been extremely humbling and very appreciative.

"It's one of those things where they make me want to work harder because of them."

Although board members did not disclose whether they will consider the staff's recommendation, they voted unanimously after an executive session to conduct a superintendent search within the district.

DeJanay Booth can be reached at 575-628-5546, dbooth@currentargus.com and @DeJanayBooth on Twitter.