• Baylor alum named Texas Superintendent of the Year — again

    Dr. Michael McFarland

    For the second time in four years, the state of Texas’ Superintendent of the Year is a Baylor graduate.

    This year’s American Association of School Administrators honoree, Dr. Michael McFarland, BBA ’93, EDD ’05, completed both his bachelor’s and doctoral degrees at Baylor. (Apparently his leadership skills were on display early; McFarland also served as a team captain under legendary football coach Grant Teaff in 1991 and 1992.)

    McFarland has been superintendent of Lancaster ISD in south Dallas since 2010, where more than 90% of the student population is economically disadvantaged. While such statistics usually lead to low graduation rates, under McFarland’s guidance, Lancaster ISD’s graduation rate tops 95%.

    “We’ve got a lot of good people, and we have been able to do a lot of good things for the students,” he says. “My goal was really to prove that with the right systems, programs and practices in place, and when people operate with passion, we can make sure our kids have opportunities for success.”

    Three years ago, it was another two-time Baylor graduate — Dr. Jeff Turner, BSED ’77, EDD ’95 —  who was named the AASA’s Superintendent of the Year for Texas. Turner retired from his post last August after 12 years guiding Coppell ISD (another North Texas district); he is now the executive director of the Texas Association of Suburban/Mid-Urban Schools.

    Sic ’em, Dr. McFarland!