Conroe Courier July 24, 2023

Willis ISD has named a former superintendent to serve in an interim role after Superintendent Tim Harkrider announced his departure in June. 

Harkrider, who served as superintendent for the district since 2013, announced his departure after being named the lone finalist for the superintendent role for College Station ISD.

Earlier this month, officials appointed Sara Goolsby, the district’s assistant superintendent of innovation, teaching and learning, to serve as the acting superintendent until an interim was chosen. 

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Former Willis ISD superintendent Tom Crowe was named to serve as the interim role during a special board meeting July 18. Crowe started in his position Monday. 

“We’re very excited to appoint Tom Crowe as the interim superintendent,” said President Kyle Hoegemeyer. “We’re excited to have him on board.” 

Crowe served as the principal of Willis High School from 1989 to 1991 before serving as superintendent from 1993 to 1997.

Crowe worked for Ector County and McKinney ISDs before retiring to Willis in 2018, Hoegemeyer said. 

“It’s kind of full circle,” Crowe said. “(I) just felt like maybe I can contribute something to the community while they’re searching for a permanent superintendent.” 

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The district is in the process of getting proposals from search firms, Hoegemeyer said. A search firm is expected to be hired between August and September, he said. 

Hoegemeyer said previously he expects a search for a new superintendent could take four to eight months. 

The district currently has 9,000 students, but is expect to grow another 6,000, Hoegemeyer said. 

As the district grows, it will need a superintendent who understands the growth and be able to manage it, he said.Â