Honors for Lindale School Superintendent

KILGORE — Lindale ISD Superintendent Stan Surratt has been named as the Region 7 Education Service Center Superintendent of the Year. He will serve as the regional representative in the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) statewide program. “It’s an honor to be selected as the Region 7 Superintendent of the Year,” said Surratt. “This honor is a great tribute to the Lindale Independent School District, and the wonderful work and success of the teachers, students, and staff.”

The Superintendent of the Year (SOTY) award program has honored outstanding Texas administrators since 1984 based on leadership in areas such as student performance, administration and school climate, school board and superintendent relations, school improvement, school and community relations, and management of finances, facilities, instruction, students and personnel.

“Region 7’s 106 districts and charter schools are blessed with wonderful leaders like Mr. Surratt who put the education and overall success of our students first,” said Region 7 ESC Executive Director Elizabeth Abernethy. “In his 15 years as a superintendent, Mr. Surratt has continued to show exemplary leadership skills and his dedication to the education of the students he serves, as well as to the support of his staff. We are proud for him to represent Region 7 at the state.”

Surratt took the helm at Lindale ISD in 2007 after a 21-year stint in Fruitvale ISD as math teacher and coach (1986-1992), principal (1992-1999), and superintendent (1999-2007).

“I was fortunate to begin my administrative career at a small, 1A school district,” Surratt said of his first eight years of serving as a superintendent at Fruitvale ISD. “I truly believe my time there helped shape me into the superintendent I am today. As a superintendent of a smaller district, it was imperative for me to have direct knowledge of all aspects of the school system from transportation and staffing to curriculum and finance. Becoming aware of each part of the district’s operations allowed me to have a better understanding of the specific needs of our public schools, which help me make more informed decisions that will truly benefit those I serve.”

During his seven-year tenure at Lindale, he has helped lead the district to numerous achievements including steady financial strength, the passing of the district’s largest bond election in history ($42.3 million in 2009), continuous Exemplary state ratings for all campuses, and successful tax ratifications in 2008 and 2013, to name a few.