On Aug. 28, the Kermit Independent School District (KISD) announced that the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) has named Dr. Joe Lopez a finalist for its 2023 Superintendent of the Year award. Lopez and the other four finalists will now advance to the next stage of the competition and the Superintendent of the Year will be announced Sept. 29.
"Congratulations to our Superintendent, Dr. Joe Lopez, for being named State Finalist for the 2023 Superintendent of the year! Great things are happening for Kermit ISD!" Kermit ISD wrote in an Aug. 28 Facebook post.
According to a press release issued by TASB, Lopez joins a shortlist that includes Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamara, Tomball Independent School District (TISD); Wade Stanford, Westwood Independent School District (WISD); Dr. Jim F. Chadwell, Eagle Mountain Saginaw Independent School District (EMSISD); and Sheri Blankenship, Hereford Independent School District (HISD).
TASB Executive Director Dan Troxell said in the release the accolade seeks to honor “the outstanding talent” at the helm of the state’s public schools. “Serving as a superintendent is one of the toughest yet most rewarding jobs in the world, and we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate these accomplished and committed leaders who do so much for our students,” Troxell said.
The release said that Lopez has led KISD, which has an enrollment of over 1,200 students across three campuses, since 2019. Per the release, he crafted a 23-year career in education, which began at a Houston-area middle school. Lopez earned a doctorate from Capella University, a master’s degree from Houston Christian University (HCU), and a bachelor’s degree from Lindenwood University. TASB said the winner will be announced in late September.