By Tim Woods

Tribune-Herald staff writer

The Waco Independent School District board hired two principals Thursday night— one from afar and the other from right here at home.

The action came on the same night board members delayed voting on a proposal to raise starting teacher salaries by $1,000.

Board members unanimously approved Clarence Simmons as the new Waco High School principal and Henri Lewis as principal at Brazos Middle School.

Simmons was hired away from Williamsville South High School in Williamsville, N.Y., just outside of Buffalo, where he has been the principal since 1999.

Simmons has Texas roots, however. He spent four years teaching for the Temple Independent School District after getting his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Texas.

Lewis is a familiar face in Waco’s academic circles, moving to Brazos from her post as Waco High’s assistant principal. Previously, Lewis worked at Lake Air Middle School and served on the McLennan Community College First Generation College Student Initiative’s advisory board.

She received her bachelor’s degree from Baylor University in 1998.

WISD superintendent Roland Hernandez said after the meeting that he was pleased with both hires and said the search committees “did a great job choosing candidates they thought would take their campuses to the next level.”

“On both hires, we were looking for instructional leaders, and it was key that they understand the use of instruction and data, that they’re collaborative and will work closely with their staffs,” Hernandez said.

Another major item on the agenda, the employee compensation plan, was shelved until administrators could assure the board that revenues would be sufficient to cover employee raises, with several factors coming into play.

At Tuesday’s finance committee, chaired by board member Allen Sykes, the committee discussed raising starting teacher salaries from $37,000 to $38,000. Teachers already on staff also would receive raises under the proposed plan.

“(The agenda item) was pulled to allow more time to consider not only the basic assumptions and components of the plan, but to get the accuracy of the certified values built into the budget,” Sykes said. “There’s still a lot of information to be received that has an impact on that final budget and the compensation recommendations.”

Sykes praised the work of Sheryl Davis, WISD assistant superintendent for business and support services, who has worked with the board in putting together the budget and compensation plan recommendations.

Following Davis’ presentation during the meeting, Sykes said, “At least for now, the trend line looks good, and I’d like to thank you for maintaining a smile through all these ups and downs.”

twoods@wacotrib.com

757-5721

—— New Waco ISD principals ——

Clarence Simmons, Waco High School

* Education: Bachelor of Science, West Texas State University, 1985; Master of Educational Administration, Southwest Texas State University, 1990.

* Honors: New York State Education Department, High Performing School, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007.

* Personal: likes working with at-risk students on study skills and also is interested in industrial technology.

Henri Lewis, Brazos Middle School

* Education: Bachelor of Science, Baylor University, 1998; Master of Science in Edicational Administration and Leadership, University of Houston, 2004.

* Honors: Houston Association of Black School Educators, Teacher of the Year, 2000.

* Personal: enjoys computer creation/engineering, reading, public speaking and attending church.