McKinney, Texas – When the students of McKinney North High School return from summer break to begin the 2016-2017 school year, they’ll arrive at a campus that is much changed in the wake of a yearlong $17.5 million bond expansion and renovation project.

Students will pass through through a revitalized, modern front entry to find more classrooms, new collaborative spaces and expanded CTE facilities along with technology upgrades and a completely fresh design aesthetic throughout the building.

But, perhaps most significantly, they’ll find a new principal waiting to welcome them back.

Longtime North Associate Principal Jae Gaskill has been chosen to lead McKinney ISD’s second oldest high school. The decision follows current Principal Jimmy Spann’s recently announced plan to retire at the end of 2015-2016. Gaskill has worked alongside Spann throughout her nine years at the campus, and now her leadership will carry North forward.

So, while the building has changed, and there is a new leader in charge, the same spirit of excellence remains firmly in place.

“Jae Gaskill has been an integral part of the success of McKinney North while serving as the associate principal of that campus,” said MISD Superintendent Dr. Rick McDaniel. “Her loyalty to McKinney North and her skill set make her the perfect fit to continue the many traditions and high level of expectations that have become the norm there. She is highly respected by not only the faculty and staff, but also by the parents she has served during the last nine years. Her academic knowledge and her relational skills will serve her well as the next principal of McKinney North High School.”

Gaskill came to McKinney ISD to serve as associate principal of North nine years ago from Allen ISD where she was a house principal at Allen High School. But, her career in education began 14 years earlier as a middle school science teacher and coach. Gaskill would serve in that role and then as a high school teacher and coach until 1999 when she was hired as a house principal at Allen ISD’s Becky Lowery Freshman Center. In 2004, she joined the Allen High School administrative team. She came to McKinney ISD three years later.

As associate principal of McKinney North, Gaskill has been second in command, overseeing many of the day to day behind the scenes details that keep a campus running smoothly. In addition to working directly with the assistant principals, counselors, instructional coaches and teachers at North, Gaskill’s influence extends beyond the campus. Since 2008, she has been a Southern Association of Colleges and Schools/Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS/CASI) team member, serving to review area schools and offering recommendations for improvement. In 2015, Gaskill presented the district’s One to the World instructional technology initiative in coordination with a team of administrators and technology staff at the 2015 North Texas Consortium Visioning Conference. In 2010, she was named Region 10 Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year.

Her heart, however, remains at North. “Being chosen as the next leader for McKinney North High School is a dream come true for me,” said Gaskill. “While I have always had the long term goal of being a high school principal, I could not be any happier for that goal to become a reality here at McKinney North. While this is a new and exciting role for me, I intend to continue building on the legacy of excellence established by Mr. Spann and our entire staff. Our campus motto is ‘Our BEST is the least we can do—with integrity, passion, and purpose,’ and that won’t change!

“I look forward to the future of McKinney North and developing new ways to engage and involve our students in school and the community,” Gaskill continued. “We have a great student body that embraces the idea of ‘giving back’ to the community, and I would like to see that continue to strengthen all across the campus. Additionally, it will be important for us to keep our focus on supporting students in the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills to best prepare them for a successful life after high school. But mostly, I am happy to be a part of an organization that prides itself on being a family. I have been lucky enough to be a part of this family for nine years, and now as principal I am looking forward to many more!”

Gaskill holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree from Stephen F. Austin State University, a master’s degree in educational administration from Texas A&M University-Commerce and is currently in the educational administration doctoral program at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

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