After 10 years of service to the Rains Independent School District community and 28 years in public education, Jennifer Johnson has announced that she will retire after 5 years as Superintendent of Schools.
Mrs. Johnson’s last day in the district will be December 21, 2023; she will remain an employee of the district through June 2024 to assist with the transition. The Board of Trustees began discussions about the superintendent search at a special board meeting on December 18, 2023.
“I am very proud of the work we have accomplished over the past ten years. I believe new leadership and a new perspective will bring new ideas to the table which will enable the district to continue its path of success,” said Superintendent Johnson.
Speaking on behalf of the Board of Trustees, Board President Philip Alexander praised the superintendent for her ability to build a strong culture of collaboration.
“On behalf of the Board, we highly value the progress made in our school system under Superintendent Johnson’s leadership,” said School Board President Philip Alexander. “Mrs. Johnson was instrumental in creating a Strategic Plan for the district moving forward, as well as contributing to the creation of the Rains Education Foundation and Wildcat University to build a culture of support and collaboration with the community.”
Mrs. Johnson successfully guided the district through the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as greatly expanded the use of instructional technology in the district. Along with campus leadership she has worked to expand CTE programs, increasing the number of students meeting CCMR. Mrs. Johnson was appointed to the UIL Region 3 Music Executive Committee due to her unwavering support of the arts. In conjunction with her administrative team, Mrs. Johnson has worked to ensure curriculum has been implemented with fidelity. She also brought the idea of a First Year Teachers’ Academy to Rains ISD, working with district leadership to grow the program over the past 6 years to meet the needs of beginning teachers more effectively. The dual credit program was also expanded to include offerings from Texas A&M-Commerce, leading to increased participation by RISD high school students.
Under Mrs. Johnson’s tenure, the district has been fiscally conservative, maintaining a balanced budget for many years despite challenges with state and federal funding. RISD has earned the highest financial rating of Superior Achievement on the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas.
Mrs. Johnson has been the Superintendent of Schools in Rains ISD since July 1, 2019. Prior to this appointment, Mrs. Johnson served as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for Rains ISD. Her vast experience includes periods as a curriculum director and school principal, as well as a classroom teacher and coach. A Texas native, Mrs. Johnson grew up in Edgewood. She received her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from East Texas State University and completed a Master of Education at Texas A&M-Commerce. Mrs. Johnson received her Superintendent Certification from Lamar University in 2015.