Lone finalist named for MISD superintendent
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

MISD superintendent finalist Shirley Rowe was selected from a batch of 29 total applicants.

Shirley Rowe, former principal of Murchison Independent School District and temporary superintendent following Scott Beene's resignation, has been named the lone finalist to fill Beene's position. While the board has yet to approve her officially and Rowe may still back out, the prospect of Shirley Rowe as official MISD superintendent looks likely.

Rowe said that Texas school superintendents, after being selected as lone finalists by the school board, go through a 21 day test period of sorts. After the 21 days are over, the board of trustees will meet to decide whether or not the lone finalist will get the full job.

"I was named lone finalist on March 13," Rowe said.

After April 4, the last day in the 21 day time period, the board will make the final call.

Rowe said if she is chosen as school superintendent, she will follow the path of former superintendent Scott Beene.

"I was surprised when Mr. Beene left because it felt like we were on the right track," Rowe said. "I want to continue what we have going for the school."

Shirley Rowe said the superintendent position had never been an aspiration of hers.

"Because of the circumstances I went in because I wanted to lead the school in the right direction," lone finalist Rowe said.

Rowe and Beene have similar philosophies regarding education, and both strongly feel the key to an effective school is to get teachers what they need to educate the kids.

"We both felt the students are the number one concern," Rowe said.

Rowe first got into the field of education because she realized when she had children just how much of an impact teachers had on them, she said.

"I saw no other profession where you can have an impact on a child's life like you can in education," Rowe said. "I felt like it was my calling."

Megan Reeves, MISD business manager, worked with former superintendent Scott Beene and said she looks forward to working with Rowe.

"Shirley's hard work and dedication will be an asset, and I look forward to working with her in her new capacity, " Reeves said.

The school business manager always works closely with the superintendent position.

As the lone finalist was also the principal and temporary superintendent, Rowe said the transition to full superintendent will be an easy one.

Shirley lives in Tyler with her husband of 35 years, Ronnie Rowe. Shirley has two grown kids and enjoys the drive between Tyler and Murchison as a time to take a break while taking in the scenic view.

Rowe's rise to superintendent has left the principal position open. It was not confirmed at the time of this paper's deadline what the board had planned for this position.