The trustees voted 7-0 during the Dec. 15 meeting on the action.
He will replace Brad Schnautz, who will exit the district Jan. 5. Schnautz was hired as the executive director of the Region 11 Education Service Center, according to previous reporting. DeMasters will begin working as the interim superintendent Dec. 17, according to a news release.
Schnautz's last day will be Jan. 2, Director of Communications Rosemary Gladden said.
The context
DeMasters has been retired since 2021 but has spent more than 30 years in education, according to board President Shannon Braun. He will serve in the role until the board hires a new superintendent.
The board of trustees conducted interviews Dec. 10, according to the agenda item.
He was the superintendent at Celina ISD from 2016 to 2021 before retiring. He was also an assistant superintendent at Van Alstyne ISD, and worked as a principal in Shallowater ISD, Dumas ISD and Celina ISD. He also served as a teacher in the Vega and Karnack ISDs, according to a news release.
His background includes a bachelor’s degree in science and education from McMurray University and educational leadership from West Texas A&M.
In his own words
“I know GCISD has a strong standard of excellence, and I just want to say I look forward to working closely with the board of trustees, with our staff, with families and with community members,” DeMasters said. “Hopefully, that will ensure that we are strong in all that we do. We want to offer stability, want to offer strong leadership, especially as we move to this transition time. But first, or most important, continue the process of doing what's best for students.”
Zooming in
Braun said that during his tenure, the districts under his leadership raised academic performance, increased fund balance, passed a bond proposition and a voter-approved tax rate election.
“His education philosophy is built on the conviction that every student has the ability to succeed when supported by excellent teaching, strong leadership and an engaged community,” she said.
Braun also said DeMasters had a positive outlook on the profession, which she says is “very much under attack.”
The background
Schnautz joined GCISD in 2017 as assistant superintendent and has served as superintendent since March 2023.
He replaced Robin Ryan, who was the second-longest serving superintendent in the history of GCISD. He retired after 13 years at the helm, according to previous reporting.
