Trustees Approve Several New Administrative Appointments

February 4, 2010

School trustees at their December, January and February meetings approved the following new administrative appointments.

School Principal Appointments

Kary Cooper, Otto Middle School

Kary Cooper, Robinson Middle School principal, has been appointed principal of the new Otto Middle School, scheduled to open this August. Kary has served as principal at Robinson Middle School since 2004. Since he joined Plano ISD in 1988, Kary has served as a teacher at Weatherford Elementary School, Shepton High School and Robinson Middle School, dean of students at Haggard Middle School and assistant principal at Frankford Middle School. He has also worked in the human resources department as assistant director for human resource services and director of compensation and employee records. Kary holds a doctorate in educational administration (2009) from the University of North Texas and a master's degree in education from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX. He also earned his bachelor's degree from SFA.

Billie Jean Lee, Robinson Middle School

Billie Jean Lee joined Plano ISD in 1989 as a teacher at Williams High School. She also taught at Wilson Middle School where she was later appointed administrative intern. She has also served as administrative intern at Robinson Middle School and has served for the past two years as assistant principal at Renner Middle School. Billie Jean earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in music education from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR, and Texas A&M University Commerce, respectively.

Assistant Principal Appointment

Shurandia Holden, Renner Middle School

Shurandia Holden has been an educator since 1987. She joined Plano ISD in 1995 as a fourth grade assistant team leader at Miller Elementary School where she later served as fifth grade team leader. She then joined the Murphy Middle School staff as sixth grade science teacher and assistant team leader prior to her appointment as dean of students at Murphy, a position she has held for the past three years. Shurandia's prior experience in teaching has been as a third grade teacher in Monroe City Schools in Louisiana and in Arlington ISD in Texas. She also taught fifth grade in Arlington and later taught third and fourth grades in neighboring Richardson ISD. She holds a bachelor of arts degree (Magna cum Laude) from Northeast Louisiana University and a master's degree in educational administration from Texas A&M Commerce.

Administrative Intern Appointment

Julianne Aguilar, Rice Middle School

Julianne Aguilar has served the past 10 years as a teacher at Bowman Middle School. She also taught at Bowman from 1996 to 1998 prior to joining the Sylvan Learning Center as director of sales and operations. From 1992 to 1996, Julianne taught at a middle school in Dallas ISD. She holds a bachelor of arts degree from John Carroll University (Ohio) and a master's degree in educational administration from Texas A&M University in Commerce.

Academic Services Appointments

Dash Weerasinghe, Ph.D.
Director for Assessment and Accountability

Dash Weerasinghe, Ph.D., joined Plano ISD in 2008 as assistant director of assessment and accountability. Prior to joining Plano schools, Dash served for five years as director of research, accountability and data analysis for Dallas ISD. He also held posts in DISD as director of school evaluation, statistical analyst and evaluation specialist, institutional research. He began his career as research and teaching assistant in the statistical and mathematics department at Texas Tech University. He holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria, a master's degree in mathematics from Texas Tech University and a doctorate in statistics from Texas Tech. Dash is a recognized leader in designing value-added systems and performance measures based on longitudinal student growth. He has more than 10 years experience designing school and teacher accountability systems that have been used as models in other districts across the nation.

Paul Dabbs, Ph.D.
Assistant Director for Assessment & Accountability

Paul Dabbs, Ph.D. joined Plano ISD in 2008 as measurement coordinator in the assessment and accountability department. Prior to joining Plano ISD, Paul served as a specialist for five years on the evaluation and accountability team in Dallas ISD. Other experience includes serving as a strategic marketing manager with Ericsson, Inc. Paul holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Texas Tech University, a master's degree in public affairs from the University of North Texas at Dallas and earned his doctorate of philosophy from Texas Tech.

Martha "Tita" Alarcon
Multilingual Education Elementary Coordinator of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)

Martha "Tita" Alarcon has served as an educator since 1979. She joined Plano ISD in 1999, teaching at Davis Elementary School for five years. While at Davis, she captured the district's Plano ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year award. In 2004, Tita was promoted to instructional specialist in the elementary curriculum and instruction department. Prior to joining Plano ISD, Tita taught at elementary schools in Orange County (FL), Carrollton-Farmers Branch (TX), East Baton Rouge (LA), Venezuela and Honduras. She holds a bachelor of science degree from Louisiana State University and a master's degree in education from the University of North Texas.

Susan Hayes
Secondary Academic Services, Coordinator of Special Projects

Susan Hayes has served as a curriculum specialist in the Plano ISD Special Education Services Department for the past three years. Prior to joining the administrative team, she served as a teacher at Rice Middle School for one year and at Wilson Middle School for seven years. Susan holds a bachelor of business administration degree from Texas Tech University.