WISD hires interim super

Wells ISD has an interim captain at the helm.

Former WISD Superintendent Dale Morton of Nacogdoches, has stepped up into his former position as WISD interim superintendent. He will serve in that capacity for a year and will help the district’s trustees through the process of finding a permanent superintendent.

“It was the timing that inspired me to step in and help out,” Morton said. “It was so close to the beginning of the school year – with knowing the district and the community like I already do, it just felt like it was better for me to step forward, than to not.”

Morton served Wells school district, starting as Wells Elementary Principal in 1995 to his retirement as superintendent in 2016. Morton has been acting pastor of the New Life Christian Church in Nacogdoches.

Morton started his interim career on Aug. 12.

“It was a unanimous vote to bring Dale back on,” Board President T. Wayne Montes said. “And we’re very proud to have him back again. He knows our teachers, the administrators and the rest of the staff and the community already and he’s got the respect of all.”

Former Superintendent Jim Moore officially resigned as Wells’ superintendent during the July school board meeting. He has taken the Director of Accountability and Compliance position at Ennis ISD. He started that job Monday, Aug. 5.

“It was a very difficult decision to make, both personally and professionally,” Moore said in an earlier interview. “We’ve got a lot of positive momentum going, and I feel like (the district’s administrators) are more than qualified to keep the district moving forward during the superintendent search and beyond.”

Moore served the district as superintendent for four years, having previously worked for the district as principal.

“I was able to work with Mr. Moore previously,” Morton said. “He’s done a great job and being able to walk back into a district where so many good things are already happening and so many great programs in place – it’s good to be working back in Cherokee County, and with Wells in particular. I’ve especially enjoyed a wonderful relationship with the community here and appreciate the opportunity to work here again, if only for a year.”

Morton said he’ll help Wells’ school board members conduct a search for the district’s next superintendent during the upcoming school year.

“It’s a much more lengthy process to search for and select a long-term leader, so we anticipate starting that search in the springtime,” Morton said.