Published: September 30, 2009 01:39 pm      

Rio Vista taps former principal to be new super

Tim Wright is coming home.

Slightly more three years after resigning as Rio Vista High School principal to become superintendent at Class A Collinsville, Wright on Monday night was a unanimous choice of Rio Vista trustees as new superintendent.

Former superintendent Rock McNulty resigned last year to become superintendent at Class 3A Smithville in Central Texas.

Steve Madson was named interim superintendent and is expected to remain with the district as assistant superintendent under Wright.

“I’m going to rely on Steve heavily,” Wright said Tuesday. “He has a vast amount of knowledge that’s vital to the district, and he’s extremely smart. Side by side, I believe we’ll be able to help the district achieve its goals. I guarantee you I hope he stays around a while.

“Steve was elementary school principal at Rio Vista when I was high school principal. We had a great working relationship.”

Board President David Brunson was “tickled pink with the list of applicants,” he said. “I believe we had 36. Some were superintendents. A few were from Arkansas. I would love to publish the list because I think it’s that impressive.

“Steve has done a great job for us as interim superintendent. He’s done everything that’s been asked of him. We sure hope he stays.”

Wright was the No. 1 pick of every board member, Brunson said. Six board members were present for the vote.

“The vote was unanimous,” Brunson said. “Everybody really likes [Tim]. We were all impressed with him when he was principal here. He’s the type that if you’re sitting in his office when the bell rings, he’ll excuse himself to go to the halls. His philosophy is that the students cannot learn unless they’re in class.”

Wright already considers himself a Rio Vistian.

“He told us he loves this area,” Brunson said. “He said when the opportunity came to apply for the superintendent’s job, he couldn‘t turn that down.”

“I think it’s a great opportunity,” Wright said. “I came to Rio Vista as principal from Maypearl, stayed one year and had a great experience. The superintendent’s job came open at Collinsville, and I followed that opportunity. Then Rio Vista materialized. I feel really comfortable with the school district and what Rio Vista is trying to achieve.”

Rio Vista ISD has continued to improve academically since he was principal, Wright said.

“The campus ratings have improved. They’re all recognized. That’s a great achievement. They’re only one step from being exemplary. The staff is solid. I know a lot of the teachers. I had a great working relationship with them before.”

He considers finance and curriculum his two strongest foundations.

“We were in a deficit budget when I got to Collinsville, and we have a substantial fund balance now,” Wright said. “You always have to stay on top of curriculum with the mandated changes from the state.”

Wright will sign his Rio Vista contract after the 21 day grace period required by law. He is expected to be on the job Nov. 2.