Dr. Rick McDaniel, McKinney ISD Superintendent of Schools

Good Afternoon McKinney ISD Community,

I’ve penned hundreds of letters during my career in public education but finding the appropriate words to convey my thoughts today has been more challenging. After 35 years in public education and nearly 8 years serving as the superintendent of McKinney ISD, I have decided to retire. It is one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made. Many people ask the question, “When will you know that it’s time to retire?” It’s my belief that there is no magic sign or perfect time. You just know.

Looking back over my career, I am thankful for the opportunities that I’ve had to serve students in many different roles: as a middle school teacher and coach, a high school teacher and coach, an assistant principal, a principal, an assistant superintendent, and superintendent. I often tell people that serving as superintendent of schools has been a great blessing, but I believe that opening McKinney Boyd High School as its first principal was one of the most rewarding and meaningful times of my career.

It’s customary for district leaders to list the many accolades that a district earned under their tenure. However, it would be disingenuous to accept acknowledgement for the work that so many exceptional teachers, principals, support staff, and central office staff members have done over the years to create such a special culture focused on our students. Instead, I would like to share just a few of the many things that I am grateful for in our McKinney ISD community.

I am grateful for a community that truly believes in our teachers and the impact that public schools can have on every child, from every part of our city. I am grateful for what I believe is the finest group of teachers and principals in the State of Texas. I am grateful for the most supportive parents a community could ask for. I feel blessed that at every campus and in every department, I have been surrounded by support staff who recognized that their number one priority is to support teachers and students. I am grateful that we have built such a strong partnership with the City of McKinney and its leadership. I am grateful to have served with so many school board members in McKinney who put students first and sought to work together to do what is best for MISD. I am grateful to have worked with so many great superintendents over the years and administrators who truly care about children. They continue to inspire me and remind all of us why we got into this field.

The Board has asked, and I have agreed, to continue in this role to assist with the new leadership transition. In the coming days, you will receive additional information about a timeline for the search and selection of a new superintendent.

To say thank you for the opportunity to serve as a principal and superintendent in this community seems so inadequate and insufficient. Even so, I offer my sincerest thanks to all of you.

I know that, under our campus and district leadership and the leadership of our Board, the students of McKinney ISD are in good hands, and I look forward to seeing the many great achievements that lie ahead.

Thank you for allowing me to serve,

Dr. Rick McDaniel
McKinney ISD Superintendent of Schools

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