Updated Aug. 29 at 4:06 p.m.

Klein ISD's Jenny McGown is one of five superintendents statewide that has been named a finalist for the 2022 Superintendent of the Year Award, the Texas Association of School Boards announced in a news release Aug. 29.

According to the release, the five finalists were selected by a TASB committee made up of school board members who interview 20 nominees for every region in the state from Aug. 26-27. Per the release, the candidates were evaluated on their work in improving student outcomes, developing strong relationships and teams, advocacy, and their ongoing commitment to innovation and leadership.

"We are thrilled about being able to recognize outstanding school superintendents across Texas," TASB Executive Director Dan Troxell said in a statement. "The job of a superintendent has never been tougher or any more important than it is today. An excellent superintendent working within a district's team of eight is essential to student success and achievement, and we're so impressed with the talent here in Texas."

In addition to McGown, other statewide finalists include Henderson ISD Superintendent Thurston Lamb of Region 7, Temple ISD Superintendent Bobby Ott of Region 12, Pflugerville ISD Superintendent Doug Killiam of Region 13 and Ector County ISD Superintendent Scott Muri of Region 18.


"The pool of talent this year was exceptional, and the entire committee was impressed by the accomplishments of these school leaders," said Dripping Springs ISD Trustee Mary Jane Hetrick, who chaired the TASB selection committee, in a statement. "Of course, it was difficult to select just five state finalists, and we greatly appreciate all of the regional winners for their work on behalf of Texas school children."

According to the release, each of the five finalists will advance to the next stage of the competition, which will take place Sept. 23-25 at the Texas Association of School Administrators/TASB Convention in San Antonio. The winner will be announced Sept. 24 and receive an award underwritten by program sponsor Balfour.

Posted July 22 at 12:09 p.m.

Klein ISD's Jenny McGown has been named the 2022 Region 4 Superintendent of the Year, according to a June 15 new release from the Region 4 Education Service Center.


According to a June 16 KISD news release, the KISD board of trustees voted unanimously in March to nominate McGown for this honor. McGown was selected from nearly 50 public school districts that make up Region 4's coverage area.

"It is our board's great honor to learn that our outstanding Klein ISD superintendent, Dr. Jenny McGown, has been selected as the Region 4 Superintendent of the Year," KISD board President Ronnie Anderson said in a statement. "In my 13 years of serving as a Klein ISD trustee, I have not experienced a more spirited, dedicated and successful leader in public education than Dr. McGown. She is extraordinarily gifted, and we're fortunate to have her brilliant mind and caring heart protecting and enhancing our longstanding tradition of excellence and innovation in Klein ISD."

McGown has served as KISD's superintendent since July 1, 2019, at which time she became the first female superintendent in the district's 91-year history. The KISD board of trustees unanimously voted in October to extend McGown's five-year contract by an additional year.

Prior to being superintendent, McGown served as both a classroom teacher and assistant principal at Klein Collins High School, the founding principal of Zwink Elementary, the district's executive director for student performance and the district's chief learning officer.


"I am grateful to serve alongside such outstanding superintendents and I am very honored to be selected as the Region 4 Superintendent of the Year," McGown said in a statement. "Thank you to our extraordinary Klein ISD board of trustees for the nomination and, most of all, for the way you always keep students at the heart of your leadership. This recognition truly belongs to our entire Klein family and reflected the tireless work they do every single day with such love and care for our students and community."

According to the release, McGown is also the Region 4 nominee for the 2022 Texas Superintendent of the Year program, which is sponsored by the Texas Association of School Boards. Regional winners will be interviewed Aug. 26-27, and five state finalists will be selected. From that pool, the Superintendent of the Year will be announced at the TxEDCON22 TASA | TASB Convention, which will take place Sept. 23-25.

"Dr. Jenny McGown is an exceptional leader who is always focused on excellence in service for children," said Pam Wells, executive director of the Region 4 Education Service Center, in a statement. "She keeps students and teachers at the forefront of each decision she makes as superintendent. We congratulate her for this well-deserved recognition and wish her the best in her nomination for Texas Superintendent of the Year."