PISD OKs new chief

By MARY RAINWATER
The Palestine Herald

PALESTINE May 09, 2008 02:12 am

— It only took a moment for Palestine Independent School District trustees to seal the deal on their lone finalist for superintendent Thursday night, officially hiring Mabank High School principal Dr. Thomas A. Wallis to serve as the district’s new leader.
Wallis was named PISD’s lone finalist for superintendent during an April 16 called meeting, but state law required trustees to wait 21 days before officially hiring the candidate.
“We welcome you to Palestine and to this community,” board president Dyna Tutt told Wallis Thursday during the meeting. “We are looking forward to working with you.”
Wallis, who likened the 21-day waiting period to a wedding engagement, said that he was more than pleased about the “marriage” between himself and the district.
“I am so excited to be coming to Palestine,” Wallis said after Thursday’s meeting. “The people of this community have already offered a positive outpouring of support through letters and e-mails.
“I think it is going to be a great marriage.”
While Wallis doesn’t officially begin his tenure until June, he will be visiting Palestine often, getting acquainted with staff, administrators and the community.
“I will be touring the campus’ next week and visiting with (retiring superintendent Jerry) Mayo,” Wallis said. “I want the transition between Mayo’s time here and mine to be smooth. I think that will be vital.”
Wallis also said he is looking forward to working with the people of Palestine and plans to make himself available to them.
“I want people of this district to know that my door will be open,” he said. “I want to hear all the great things about the district and all the concerns, because it is their district.”
Wallis comes to PISD with many accomplishments under his belt. One of his most recent includes his being named the 2007 Texas Association of Secondary School Principals’ High School Principal of the Year.
During his time as Mabank High School principal, the campus has been recognized as one of the top high schools in the nation by “U.S. News and World Report,” and was recognized by “Texas Monthly” as one of the top 75 high schools in the state.
Wallis has served as Mabank High School principal since July 2003. Prior to that time, from 1997 to 2003, he served as assistant principal of Mesquite High School, Rockwall High School, and Mesquite ISD’s Wilkinson Middle School and Vanston Middle School.
From 1991 to 1997, Wallis was a history teacher and coach at North Mesquite High School, West Mesquite High School, Mesquite’s Wilkinson Middle School and Lamesa Middle School.
Wallis earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from Angelo State University in 1991, and earned his Master’s in Education Administration from Texas A&M Commerce in 1997. He received his Doctorate in Education Administration from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2007.
“Dr. Wallis is fully qualified for the job and brings a great enthusiasm to the district,” Tutt said after the April 16 meeting. “I think he will be the shining star PISD needs.”
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Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com