Gearing named finalist for Superintendent of the Year

Former Dripping Springs ISD Superintendent Dr. Bruce Gearing has been selected as one of five Texas state finalists for the annual Superintendent of the Year (SOTY) award. Dr. Gearing completed a seven-and-a-half year stint at DSISD and started as Leander ISD's new superintendent Sept. 3.

Sponsored by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), the SOTY program has recognized exemplary superintendents for excellence and achievement in educational leadership since 1984. The state selection committee, which interviewed regional winners August 23-24 in Austin, targeted such topics as advocacy, community engagement, the superintendent’s work with the board, and the future of public education.

Gearing served as DSISD superintendent for seven years. The committee described Gearing as a visionary and catalyst for change and noted his focus on preparing students broadly for the world of today. They also cited the encouragement he gave staff to interact and learn from one another and his efforts to stay on top of changing needs by proactively listening. Gearing earned his bachelor’s degree from University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; his master’s degree from Texas A&M University – Texarkana; and his doctorate from Texas A&M University – Commerce.

The other 2019 finalists are Charles Dupre, Fort Bend ISD, Region 4; Walter Jackson, Brenham ISD, Region 6; Tylor Chaplin, Burkburnett ISD, Region 9; and Keith Bryant, Lubbock-Cooper ISD, Region 17.

The 2019 Superintendent of the Year will be announced September 21 at the TASA/TASB Convention in Dallas. The districts of the winning superintendent and state finalists will receive an award from Balfour, program underwriter. TASB is a nonprofit association established in 1949 to serve local public school boards. School board members are the largest group of publicly elected officials in the state. The districts they represent serve approximately 5.3 million students.