CFISD SUPERINTENDENT ANNOUNCES PLANS TO RETIRE
Richard E. Berry, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD superintendent of schools announced his retirement, effective June 2004, at the Board meeting on Monday, May 12, 2003. Beginning in December 2003, he will take accumulated leave until the end of June.
In his announcement, he expressed appreciation for the support of patrons, business partners, volunteers, staff, parents, and students during his eleven-year tenure as superintendent. “Success is not about one person. It is about a team of people working together to accomplish common goals ,“ Berry reflected. “The time has come to let another leader step forward to carry on the tradition of putting children first and believing in my kids…our kids.”
Berry earned his Associate of Arts degree in business from Weatherford Junior College in 1965 and his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from North Texas State University in 1967. He later earned a Master of Education degree in counseling from Hardin-Simmons University in 1971.
With 35 years in public education, Berry began his career in education as a high school teacher and coach in Roscoe Independent School District in 1968. He moved to Arlington Independent School District (AISD) in 1971 where he served as counselor, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent and deputy superintendent before he was named superintendent of schools in 1988. He was named superintendent for CFISD in 1992 and continues to lead the district today.
During his 11 years in CFISD, the district has grown to become the fifth largest school district in Texas and is the largest district to ever earn a "Recognized" rating in the state's accountability system. CFISD has earned this rating for five consecutive years since 1999.
Enrollment in CFISD has grown from 46,000 to more than 71,000 students during Berry 's tenure as superintendent. His leadership in the district led to his role as a founding member and chairman of the Texas Fast Growth Coalition in 1995. He has also served as the vice president and president of the Texas School Alliance, president of the Urban Superintendent's Association of America, president of the Texas Association of Suburban/Mid-Urban Schools, and a former member of the Texas Commissioner of Education Superintendent’s Cabinet. He currently serves as the Region IV executive board member of the Texas Association of School Administrators. Berry was named Texas Association of School Board (TASB) Superintendent of the Year for Region IV in 2000 and then became one of five state finalists. Professionally, he has been invited to make formal presentations on educational issues at conventions for national organizations.
Locally, Berry holds leadership roles with various civic service organizations. He is currently the chairman of the Cy-Fair Hospital Board of Directors, secretary of the Cypress-Fairbanks Educational Foundation and serves on the board of directors for the Crime Stoppers of Houston as well as the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce. Berry will continue to reside in the Cy-Fair community of northwest Houston with his wife, Sue. They have one son, Shane, who lives in San Marcos ,Texas.
Over the next few months, the Board will meet to develop a transition plan and a process to select Mr. Berry ’s successor.
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