During their regular monthly business meeting held Monday evening, Vernon ISD trustees named Dr. Blaise Boswell as the lone finalist to become the next superintendent of the district. Boswell has been serving as the interim superintendent for the past three months following the departure of Dr. Kermit Ward.
“As a board, we believe Blaise has done a great job leading the district these last few months and that he is the person to lead the district in the future,” said VISD Board President Emory Byars. “Blaise is vested in the community and wants nothing but the best for our students, teachers and staff. Over the last few years Blaise has shown he is ready, capable and prepared to take that next step.”
The unanimous vote of approval came after a two-hour closed session. Now, there is a 21-day mandated waiting period before the appointment can become official. A special board meeting will be called after the 21-day waiting period to name Boswell the new VISD Superintendent.
“I’m excited about the opportunity,” Boswell said Tuesday morning. “I want to work to make sure Vernon ISD continues to be something that our community can be proud of.”
Boswell, who has served as the assistant superintendent for the last three years, began his 15-year career in education as a teacher/coach with VISD. The Electra native has served as assistant principal at Vernon High School and principal at Vernon Middle School. Boswell was also the district’s Chief Technology Officer prior to becoming the assistant superintendent.
He earned his bachelor degree at Midwestern State University, while his superintendent certification was at Lamar University, and his doctorate degree is from Liberty University.
Boswell and his wife Kelly, a science teacher at VMS, have two sons, Carson, a student at Vernon College and MSU, and Bryson, an eighth grader at VMS.
“I plan on staying a part of the community for the long term,” Boswell said. “My goal and hope are that when I retire, I retire as the superintendent of the Vernon Independent School District.”