Bellville ISD Leader Nicole Poenitzsch Named TASB 2024 Superintendent of the Year
Nicole Poenitzsch of Bellville ISD was named Superintendent of the Year (SOTY) by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) in a special presentation Sept. 28 at txEDCON.
San Antonio— Nicole Poenitzsch of Bellville ISD was named Superintendent of the Year (SOTY) by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) in a special presentation Sept. 28 at txEDCON, the annual event hosted by TASB and the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA). The award, which spotlights outstanding education leaders from across Texas, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
Poenitzsch, whose district is in Region 6, was selected for the prestigious award from a group of five state finalists that included Gonzalo Salazar, Los Fresnos CISD, Region 1; Brad Owen, Burkburnett ISD, Region 9; Kimberley Cantu, Mansfield ISD, Region 11; and Darryl Henson, Marlin ISD, Region 12.
The 11-member committee said it selected Poenitzsch as the winner of this year’s award, citing her servant leadership, commitment to ensuring opportunities for all of her students and collaborative approach to problem-solving.
“Every year the candidates for Superintendent of the Year are so accomplished and an inspiration to those of us who serve our public schools across the state,” said Nick Phillips, chair of the Member Services Committee, a TASB director, and a trustee from Nederland ISD. “The committee was so impressed with the level of dedication and service these leaders have consistently given to their districts and communities. As board members, we know the ongoing challenges they face in leading their districts and the hard work it takes to ensure all students are able to achieve at the highest levels. We commend the candidates for their outstanding efforts in support of their districts and students.”
Phillips said this year’s recipient was notable for bringing both joy and enthusiasm to her work, including a willingness to jump in to do whatever it takes to support her students, including stepping into the classroom as needed.
“We are so pleased to honor Nicole Poenitzsch with this award, which the entire committee agreed was well-deserved based on her dedication on behalf of all of Bellville’s students,” Phillips said. “She not only sees education as a means of opportunity for children, but she also is clearly very proud to be a Texas public educator.”
Sponsored by TASB and underwritten by Balfour, the SOTY program has recognized exemplary superintendents for excellence and achievement in educational leadership since 1984.
Candidates are chosen for their strong leadership skills, dedication to improving educational quality, ability to build effective employee relations, student performance, and commitment to public involvement in education. The district of the SOTY winner receives a $5,000 check, and the superintendent is given a custom ring. The districts of each of the finalists receive $1,000, also given by Balfour.
Poenitzsch has served as the superintendent of Bellville ISD since 2019. The district spans 385 square miles and enrolls about 2,300 students in Austin County between Brenham and Sealy west of the greater Houston metropolitan area.
She has worked in public education since 2005, starting her career as a teacher and coach before advancing into administrative leadership positions and earning her superintendent certification in 2012. She earned her doctorate of education from Texas A&M University, a master of education from University of Houston-Victoria and a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University. Prior to joining Bellville ISD in 2019 as superintendent, Poenitzsch served as an assistant superintendent of Learning & Innovation in Dripping Springs ISD.
In her remarks before an audience of hundreds at txEDCON24, Poenitzsch thanked her family and Bellville ISD team, including her Board of Trustees, which she commended for their commitment to the district’s students. She also described her guiding belief about the power of public education.
“I believe that every child has beautiful potential within them,” she told the crowd. “I believe that public education is a means for opportunity, and I believe that it's our job to create conditions to help our kids figure out those unique gifts that they have, help them discover it and develop it so they can be fulfilled individuals, compassionate citizens, compelled to positively contribute to the world around us.”
The selection of a Superintendent of the Year is the culmination of a nine-month process that begins in January when school boards across the state start to prepare their superintendent nomination, which must be approved by resolution. Recommended superintendents are then interviewed by regional selection committees from each Texas education service center (ESC), which announce their regional finalist in June. Each ESC regional finalist is then brought forward for interviews by the state selection committee, which narrows the pool to five state finalists announced in August.
The naming of the Superintendent of the Year is a highlight of txEDCON, held each year in the fall to promote excellence in Texas public education.
“As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of this award, it is a great reminder of the level of dedication and service school leaders have shown over the decades, and that unwavering dedication continues, as we can see from these outstanding candidates,” said TASB Executive Director Dan Troxell. “We at TASB are honored to recognize the outstanding leaders serving our public school students, with this award putting a spotlight on the dynamic relationship that exists between school boards and superintendents – relationships that are critical to achieving excellent outcomes in both district governance and student academic achievement.”
This year’s 13 regional superintendents of the year, in order of ESC, are listed below:
- Region 2: Michelle Cavazos, Gregory-Portland ISD
- Region 3: Bill Chapman*, Palacios ISD
- Region 4: John Moore, Galena Park ISD
- Region 5: Mike Kelly, Bridge City ISD
- Region 7: Carnelius Gilder, West Sabine ISD
- Region 8: Sarah Dildine, Hughes Springs ISD
- Region 10: Justin Terry, Forney ISD
- Region 13: Steven Snell, Liberty Hill ISD
- Region 15: Joe Young, Brownwood ISD
- Region 16: Wade Callaway, Gruver ISD
- Region 18: Brent Jaco, Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD
- Region 19: Oscar Troncoso, Anthony ISD
- Region 20: Eduardo Hernandez, Edgewood ISD-Bexar County
*Nominated by Palacios ISD but now serving in London ISD.
About TASB
TASB is a nonprofit organization established in 1949 to serve local Texas school boards. School board members are the largest group of publicly elected officials in the state. The districts they represent serve 5.5 million public school students.