Keene ISD and Superintendent Darlene Callender are parting ways.
Callender, the former Cleburne assistant superintendent who has been on the job at Keene for approximately 18 months, officially resigned her duties Friday with 2 1/2 years to go on her contract. She was believed to have received a financial settlement, though Keene board president Sheri Hadley requested that the Times-Review file an open records request for that information.
Asked if the resignation was voluntary or at the board’s request, Hadley said, “It was mutual.”
In a prepared statement Hadley said, “While the board and Dr. Callendar have come to realize that they have different educational philosophies, the board appreciates the hard work and dedication Dr. Callender expended toward enhancing the educational environment at Keene ISD. Dr. Callender has resigned to pursue other career endeavors, and Keene ISD wishes her the best.”
Callender did not return phone calls seeking comment. Her last day in Keene will be June 30, Hadley said.
Callender was hired on a unanimous vote of the Keene board in October 2009. She followed Kevin Sellers, who resigned to become assistant superintendent at Joshua.
Keene trustees selected Callender from among 30 candidates for the job.
At Cleburne, she oversaw the department of curriculum and instruction and became assistant superintendent of special programs taking on state and federal programs and compliance issues.
Callender came to CISD from Dripping Springs, where she was assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. She also served 10 years in administration as curriculum director in Decatur ISD and Mabank ISD and as assistant superintendent with Dripping Springs.
The Fort Worth native was previously assistant principal with Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, a principal in the Spring Branch ISD, and taught in the Houston ISD, Alief ISD and Cypress-Fairbanks ISD.
Keene ISD
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Callender steps down as Keene superintendent
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