Northwest ISD superintendent David Hicks unexpectedly died Sept. 9 from a medical emergency, a little more than four months after being hired for the position.

The school district announced the news of Hicks’ passing on its website late that evening. He was hired in late March to become the leader of the district and he officially started his role as superintendent on May 17.

“Dr. Hicks had made an immediate impact on the staff and students of Northwest ISD, and we will miss him dearly,” a press release from the school states. “Many of you quickly came to appreciate his kindness and earnestness, traits that made him an excellent leader and friend. Our board is committed to supporting the Hicks family in their time of need, as well as you all as the teachers and staff of Northwest ISD, and our students and community as a whole.”

The press release said the board of trustees will meet in the "near future" to determine the next steps for campus administration. Northwest ISD has a regularly-scheduled board meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 12.

“A strong organization structure is in place, and our district will continue to operate with excellence in this trying time,” the school said in a press release.


Northwest ISD has three assistant superintendents: Tim McClure, who is over facilities; Michael Griffin, who oversees curriculum and instruction; and Kim Barker, who is in charge of human resources.

“Our culture in Northwest ISD is second to none, and great culture starts with our people,” he said. “I’ve already met some incredibly dedicated teachers and staff. Our families provide wonderful support as volunteers and through our PTAs and booster clubs. And our business leaders and elected officials know and support public education.”“Our culture in Northwest ISD is second to none, and great culture starts with our people,” Hicks said in a welcome video posted May 19 on the NISD website. “I’ve already met some incredibly dedicated teachers and staff. Our families provide wonderful support as volunteers and through our PTAs and booster clubs. And our business leaders and elected officials know and support public education.”

Hicks came to Northwest ISD after serving as the superintendent at Sherman ISD the previous six years. He said at the time he would soon have a granddaughter attending school in Northwest ISD.

He had more than 33 years of experience as an educator, starting as a middle school history teacher in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD. Hicks went into administration at that district, followed by stops as an administrator in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD and Denton ISD.


He replaces Superintendent Ryder Warren, who joined the district in 2016 and retired at the end of the 2021-22 school year.