Zavalla school superintendent resigns her post

ZAVALLA — The Zavalla school board voted Tuesday night to accept the resignations of Superintendent Kathy Ray and board member Carryl Carrell.

"My heart anguishes over the recent revelation of the events unfolding within this board that are focused on destroying the continued progress of this school district," Carrell said. "I shudder at the thought of handling our taxpayers' dollars to buy out the contract of a well-qualified superintendent who has done nothing but dedicate herself to the improvement of Zavalla Independent School District."

After nearly two hours in closed session, the meeting reconvened and the board accepted Ray's resignation, but made no comment on a buyout, calling the decision "a mutual agreement that is best for everyone," according to board president Rodney Lott.

The community members on hand for the meeting disagreed that the board's action was the best decision, with PTO President Kim Hogan stating that "Dr. Ray is a wonderful superintendent whose actions have benefited the kids all the way around."

"The kids in our district have changed since Dr. Ray came here," Hogan said. "Their attitudes are different. They believe in themselves because they are told that they can succeed. She is a great superintendent."

Among many things that Ray has seen completed while at ZISD are a dyslexic program, dual learning program, increased TAKS scores, and an incentive program for attendance and academic performance.

"Because of her we have kids going to the science museum in Houston, going to the theatre to see a play, and visiting area colleges," Hogan said. "This is stuff that wasn't taking place before she got here."

Former board member Patty Byrd described the board's relationship with Ray as a "personality clash."

"They say that she spends too much money, even though the board has to approve each spending item," Byrd said. "It seems like if the money goes to sports then it's fine, but if it is used for education then it's overspending."

Byrd added that Ray initiated the first pay raise for employees in ZISD in almost 15 years. The board stated no specific grievance with Ray during the open portions of the meeting, a form of "double-speak" that Carrell addressed in her resignation speech.

"I find abhorrent the actions of fellow board members who continue to digress into double-speak and good-ole-boy politics intent on getting their own way, rather than keeping the best interests of our students in mind," Carrell said. "Rumors of behind-the-scenes caucusing determined to undermine the authorities invested to lead this district are loathsome."

After her resignation, Carrell said she believed that Ray was being forced out by "the personal agendas of some board members. But unfortunately I can't prove that."

"The people on this board are stuck in that good-ole-boy mentality, where this is the way it's been done forever and we can't do anything different," Hogan said. "They didn't like Dr. Ray changing things."

There will be a regular meeting of the Zavalla school board on Thursday night in the Zavalla High School library. The meeting will be open to the public, and also the public will have the opportunity to address the board with any questions or concerns they may have pertaining to the situation.