McKinney ISD Superintendent J.D. Kennedy announces plans to retire
Just as the 2014-15 school year began, McKinney ISD Superintendent J.D. Kennedy told the school board that he plans to retire in December.
Kennedy’s retirement plans were made public Tuesday at a school board meeting. His mid-year evaluation and contract were on the agenda.
“We faced many challenges over the past five years, but I think we met those challenges admirably,” Kennedy said in a press release. “We successfully passed a $191 million bond package, and we weathered the biggest cuts in funding that McKinney ISD has ever seen.”
As a result of cuts to state public schools, McKinney ISD slashed more than 130 positions back in 2011. The district asked coaches to drive team buses and required administrators — including Kennedy — to substitute teach.
Under Kennedy’s leadership, the district also passed a contentious tax ratification election that brought McKinney ISD’s tax rate to $1.67 per $100 valuation, the highest allowed by state law.
Kennedy worked in Texas public schools for 39 years, the last five as superintendent of McKinney ISD. He also worked in Richardson and Allen school districts. He served as superintendent in Decatur and Midlothian school districts before taking the helm of McKinney schools.
In his retirement, Kennedy plans to spend more time with his grandchildren and continue mission trips to Hungary, according to the press release.
“On behalf of the Board, we feel that Dr. Kennedy has done an excellent job,” board President Amy Dankel said in the press release. “He has the district headed in the right direction and has always had the best interest of every student at heart.”
Check back for updates on Kennedy’s retirement news. Below is a letter from Kennedy to the community posted to the district’s Facebook page.