Telena Wright, who has served as the district superintendent since 2009, will retire at the end of this school year. The AISD board approved her retirement agreement after a special meeting May 1, the district stated in a news release. Wright’s last day will be June 30.
The school board will recognize Wright’s career during the May 15 regular board meeting. The community is invited to attend this celebration during the meeting to honor her career.
A native of Ballinger, Wright joined AISD as the Argyle High School principal in 2000 after serving at Marcus High School in Lewisville ISD. She became the AISD assistant superintendent in 2003, interim superintendent in 2008 and superintendent in January 2009.
Some of Wright’s accomplishments, as noted in the release, are:
- Overseeing three bond programs—in 2014, 2017 and 2022—during her tenure that include the addition of three new campuses and three more that are in the planning stages. These bond programs also included renovations to two campuses and the new administration building;
- Seeing Argyle win 12 University Interscholastic LeagueLone Star Cup Awards—the second most in the state—including a state-record 10 consecutive cups;
- Leading the development of Argyle ISD’s own Special Education Department;
- Developing the 10-Year Strategic Growth Plan, which was approved by the board and whose plan’s design includes growth strategies and priorities for facilities and grade configurations as the district manages the rapid enrollment growth;
- Creating Argyle ISD Police Department in 2013, and the department now includes an officer on each campus;
- Creating multicultural committees at all campuses; and
- Starting an Independent Disciplinary Alternative Education Program.
The district has one of the highest distinction ratings in the state and the highest in Denton County, the release noted, explaining AISD earned an A state accountability rating by the Texas Education Agency and district score of 97 in 2022. This is the highest score in the district’s history.
“Students in Argyle are wonderful, talented young people with supportive families encouraging and supporting them and believing in the investment in their educational journey,” Wright said in the release. “The carefully chosen teachers and staff are dedicated beyond measure to the support and success of each individual student.
“From the first [AHS] graduation in May 2003 through the 21st graduation in 2023, students have been prepared to enter the world beyond high school, whether joining the workforce, military or continuing an educational journey,” Wright said.
AISD board President Sam Slaton lauded Wright for her dedication and efforts.
“It is impossible for me to express how much Dr. Wright means to me and the impact that she has made on this district and the field of education,” said Slaton, who has known Wright since he was a student at Marcus High School, in the release. “Dr. Wright's passion to serve this district, her knowledge of the education field, her wisdom, ethics, approachability, and care for the well-being of all are just a short list of the numerous qualities that speak to how special Dr. Wright is.
“Her imprint on this district will forever be cemented and we are blessed as a district to have had her as our Superintendent, and wish her and her family all of the best,” Slaton said. “It is my hope that we can all celebrate Dr. Wright and her illustrious career throughout the remainder of the school year.”
