Cathy Bryce to Retire as HPISD Super

OK. Below is the official release from Highland Park ISD. Look for more in this week’s print product. I have to say that Cathy Bryce has always been a pleasure to work with, and that Park Cities People wishes her the best. The district will be hard-pressed to find another superintendent as invested in caring for children as is Dr. Bryce:

As she begins her eighth year at the helm of Highland Park ISD, Superintendent Dr. Cathy Bryce is announcing her retirement.

The Board of Trustees is beginning its search for a new superintendent, and Dr. Bryce will remain in her role as superintendent in order to give the trustees ample time to find a replacement.

“I have absolutely cherished my years in Highland Park,” Bryce said. “There is no better place for an educator to work and no community more supportive of public education than this one. I have made many lifelong friends here, and I want to thank every student, parent, teacher and community member for making my years here in Highland Park so memorable. I will carry this place in my heart forever.”

School Board President Jeff Barnes said that Dr. Bryce will always be remembered in HPISD as a superintendent who unflinchingly tackled every challenge and was never too busy to talk to a child.

“Cathy Bryce captured the heart of this community because of her profound dedication to our children,” he said. “She has made a difference in this community both in tangible and intangible ways. In terms of tangible results, just look at the overwhelming vote of confidence our taxpayers conveyed by supporting the bond issue in May and the tip-top academic achievements of every campus across the district. In terms of the intangible results, look around at any HPISD sporting event, fine arts performance or end-of-year banquet, and you’ll see Dr. Bryce giving our students a standing ovation every time. To say she will be dearly missed is quite an understatement.”

Dr. Bryce began her career as an educator in 1975 as a choir director and English teacher in Arapaho, Okla. Over her 33-year career, she has also served as a vice principal, principal, assistant superintendent, deputy superintendent and superintendent in districts across North Texas, including Birdville, Lewisville, Carroll, Duncanville and Weatherford. She has an extensive history of community service, serving as the newly appointed board president of the YWCA, as well as a member of the following: Legislative Committee for the Texas Association of School Administrators, Executive Committee for the Texas Schools Coalition, Texas LEAD Center (chair), Advisory Council of the Elisa Project and the Advisory Board of the Dallas Museum of Natural Science.

She is also an ex-officio member of the board of the Highland Park Arts, a member of the Board of Directors for the Circle Ten Council of Boy Scouts of America and a member of the Park Cities Rotary Club.

Beyond her impeccable credentials, Bryce displays a heart for children, measuring every decision by how it would affect children and their educational opportunities.

“From the beginning, that’s what Cathy Bryce has been about – looking at the classroom from the student perspective,” Barnes said. “That’s what makes her such a phenomenal educator, advocate and leader.”

After her retirement, Bryce says she is looking forward to spending more time with family. She says she is also looking forward to exploring opportunities to which her skills and experience would add value.