UTSA alumnus Brian Woods named Northside ISD superintendent

By Christi Fish
Associate Director of Media Relations

(May 23, 2012) --- Brian T. Woods, a doctoral graduate of The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) College of Education and Human Development Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, has been named the new superintendent of Northside Independent School District (NISD) by a unanimous final vote of the district's board of trustees. Woods, a 20-year veteran educator of NISD, currently serves as its deputy superintendent for administration.

"It is extremely humbling to be given the privilege to serve the students, parents, taxpayers and staff of Northside ISD," said Woods. "Northside is, without question, the premier school district in San Antonio, and I am honored to continue to build on the legacy left by those before me."

Woods was selected from 25 candidates following a national search. He will replace John Folks, who has served as NISD superintendent for 10 years.

This month, Woods received his UTSA doctoral degree in educational leadership and policy studies. He began his career as a social studies teacher at Marshall High School in 1992 and taught U.S. government, economics and U.S. history. Woods then helped open O'Connor High School in 1998 as an assistant principal.

He became vice principal at Clark High School in 2000, and in 2004, he was named the school's principal. He remained in that post until he became the assistant superintendent for secondary administration in 2006. In 2009, he was named deputy superintendent for administration.

"We are delighted to hear that Northside ISD has selected Brian Woods as the sole finalist in its search for a new superintendent," said Betty Merchant, dean of the UTSA College of Education and Human Development. "Brian is both an outstanding leader and educator committed to working with members of the community to further an educational environment where all children can achieve."

The UTSA College of Education and Human Development is the leading provider of educators in the San Antonio area and one of the largest in Texas. Ranked third in the United States as producer of teacher-education degrees for Hispanics, the college is responsible for innovative research and grants in professional development, technology enhancement, health, school readiness and bi-national and bicultural issues.

Northside ISD, a huge economic generator in San Antonio, has 97,439 students, more than 12,000 employees and an overall budget of $1.1 billion. The district has 112 schools spread across 355 square miles in northwest and western Bexar County and also extends into Medina and Bandera counties.