CCISD trustees to hold special meeting on superintendent search

By LYNETTE SOWELL 

Cove Leader-Press 

Fresh off the public announcement by Copperas Cove Independent School District superintendent Joe Burns that he will be retiring on Dec. 31, 2024, the CCISD board of trustees is already looking ahead to the selection process of a new superintendent. 

The board of trustees is holding a special meeting on Monday, Sept. 16, at 1 p.m., in the administration's board room. 

The agenda includes taking action to accept the "retirement resignation" of Supt. Burns, as well as entering into a "Voluntary Retirement Agreement" between the district and Burns. That agreement was not included as an agenda attachment on Friday, but his resignation letter was attached to the agenda.

in his letter, Burns told the board that, "I always believed we would be together as a Team of Eight forever, or at least until we were old and gray. As it turns out, time has been fleeting and I have just a little grayer hair than when I began as superintendent of schools for the Copperas Cove ISD in June 2012. The last twelve years have been the absolute highlight of my personal and professional life. The community of Copperas Cove has loved and supported my family and me more than I could have ever imagined. The school community has taken up the charge to make sure every child succeeds and I have been blessed to work with some of the best educators and support staff in the field of education. I am also convinced that I have had the opportunity to serve the best school board in all of Texas. 

"But, just like Moses I have been called by my Lord and Savior to another work - retirement. Much like Moses, I have tried to explain to God why I can't go and how unprepared I am for His call on my life. He has listened patiently and when I finished with my excuses He has said "Go". So, today I am writing this letter formally announcing my retirement as superintendent of schools for the Copperas Cove ISD effective December 31, 2024." 

Three current trustees were on the board -- Joan Manning, Mike Wilburn, and Inez Faison -- when CCISD undertook a superintendent search back in 2012, when CCISD Superintendent Rose Cameron announced she would be retiring at the end of the 2011-2012 school year.

Board president Joan Manning has called for the trustees to look into utilizing the services of the Texas Association of School Board's Executive Search Services to conduct the search for a new superintendent of schools.

George Kazanas, with the Texas Association of School Board's Executive Search Services, will be attending Monday's meeting to have those discussions with the board. 

A copy of Burns' letter can be found here.