Burleson ISD Chief of Schools Dr. Coby Kirkpatrick has been named the lone finalist for superintendent of Cleburne ISD, following a unanimous vote by Trustees during Tuesday evening’s called school board meeting.

In compliance with Texas Government Code 552.126, a 21-day waiting period will now go into effect before Trustees conduct a final vote to employ Kirkpatrick as superintendent.

“This 21-day waiting period will give our stakeholders time to learn more about Dr. Kirkpatrick, while giving him the opportunity to learn more about Cleburne schools and our community,” School Board President Elizabeth Childress said. “We believe he has the qualities, skills and strengths our staff, parents and community want in our school district leader, based on the input we received from them.”

“He is bringing a broad range of administrative experience at both the campus and district levels,” Childress said. “In his nine years with Burleson ISD, most recently as Chief of Schools, he has been involved in all aspects of district operations in his work with students and staff.”

“In our interviews with him, his enthusiasm and excitement at the possibility of becoming our next superintendent were very evident—and that made a big difference to us. He has a true passion for kids—meeting them where they are and doing all he can in moving them forward. Dr. Kirkpatrick wants to be the superintendent of Cleburne ISD—and he feels Cleburne would be a great place to call home.”

Kirkpatrick counts the school board’s decision to name him a lone finalist for superintendent among his most memorable moments.

“This news ignited a level of excitement within me that I compare to the joy I felt on my wedding day, as well as the birth of my two children,” he said. “I look forward to joining CISD’s team, where we will work together to bring student success to even greater heights.”

Kirkpatrick joined BISD’s administrative staff just prior to the start of the 2014-2015 school year as director of Human Resources. One year later he was named executive director of Human Resources and Student Services. 

He began his career in 1990 as an athletic trainer and teacher in Fort Worth ISD, where he served through 1998. He spent 16 years with White Settlement ISD, as an athletic trainer and teacher for five years before moving into campus administration as an assistant principal. In his last seven years in the district, he served as an elementary school principal.

Kirkpatrick holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Christian University. His Master’s in Education and Doctorate of Educational Leadership degrees are from Tarleton State University.

“This is one of the most important decisions to be made by a school board,” Childress said. “We have devoted a tremendous amount of time, thought, discussion—and prayer—in seeking the right person to be our next superintendent. We are very pleased to announce Dr. Kirkpatrick as our lone finalist.”