Sweetwater ISD Superintendent Dr. Ronald “Ronny” Beard has been named the lone finalist for superintendent of Cleburne ISD, following board action April 25.

Dr. Beard has served as superintendent of Sweetwater since April of 2004, which was preceded by three years as assistant superintendent for instruction with White Settlement ISD. He was also superintendent of schools at Star ISD from 1992-93.

“Dr. Beard is highly trained in leadership, curriculum and finance with experience in both urban and rural communities,” said Board President Stu Madison. “In addition, he is a man of faith and I believe that there is still plenty of need for a person of faith to be in charge of our children’s educational development.”

“Since his first interview with us, he has been at the top of our candidate list,” Madison said. “I personally feel that we are lucky to have his commitment.”

Following state guidelines regarding the employment of superintendents, a 21-day waiting period will now be observed. CISD trustees will vote on the employment of the superintendent on May 19.

Dr. Beard has a total of 22 years in education, including seven years in campus administration as principal of Bangs High School (1993-1997), Sudan High School (1997-2001) and K-12 principal for Mullin ISD (1989-90). He also served two years as principal of Bangs Junior High School.

Dr. Beard began his career in education in 1973 as a vocational agriculture teacher with Columbia-Brazoria ISD. In 1976 he was employed as a vocational teacher at New Horizons Boys Ranch in Goldthwaite. Prior to being named principal at Mullin, he served three years in that district, 1986-89, as an all-level science/agriculture science teacher.

He received a Bachelor of Science degree in vocational agriculture education in 1973 from Tarleton State University. His Master of Education degree is also from TSU. In 1995, he completed the Superintendent Certification Program at Texas Tech University and in 2003 received his Doctorate in Education from Baylor University.