MARLIN, Texas — After seven years of oversight of the Marlin Independent School District, the Texas Education Agency has begun the process of returning local control to the district.
After taking over Marlin ISD in 2017, the State appointed a three-person board of managers to serve alongside two locally elected trustees.
"They're providing oversight of the instructional materials and have ensured a seamless collaboration," said Superintendent Darryl Henson, who was hired in 2020.
Henson said the appointed board of managers work alongside his office to oversee the district, but this month the district begins the transition of working back to a full, locally elected board of trustees.
"TEA and the Commissioner have provided me with support to govern and lead the district, and it's accountability that’s going to lead to outcomes to children," Henson said. "We have the same goal, it’s student success."
Henson said once the district assumes full governance when the board of managers' term expires on Jan. 31, 2026, the transition will be seamless.
"Our students, they have always risen to meet the standard," Henson said. "Not only the standards outlined by the State but standards of our community."
Henson said that means focusing on the subjects and quality of instruction that's being taught to students on a daily basis, as well as supporting the faculty and staff of Marlin ISD.
Since taking over the district in 2017, the TEA commissioner has publicly praised Marlin ISD's academic performance improvements as the district's accountability rating improved to a "B."
"There is a pain to potential, and it's all about performance," Henson said. "It's not about what students can do, it's about what students will do and have done. So we had to shift that mindset and shift the culture to let everyone know you will perform and there is no opting out."
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