The NISD Board of Trustees named Dr. John Craft, a 24-year veteran educator and Killeen ISD’s current Superintendent, the lone finalist for Superintendent of Northside ISD on Feb. 27.
Dr. Craft will replace Dr. Brian Woods as superintendent of the largest school district in Bexar County and the fourth largest school district in Texas. Woods will retire as superintendent, a position he has held since July 2012, at the end of the current school year following a 31-year career with Northside ISD. The Board of Trustees will vote on Craft after the state-mandated 21-day waiting period.
Excited about the new endeavor, Dr. Craft said, “My family and I are appreciative and humbled to be considered a candidate to serve the incredible community of the Northside Independent School District. As my wife and I visited the district, we learned more about the rich history and diverse cultures celebrated across communities, the district’s thoughtful efforts to provide engaging learning opportunities for all students, and the School Board’s commitment to ensuring every child’s needs are met. We simply could not pass up the opportunity to be a part of such a special organization so deliberately focused on student growth and success. I remain humbled, excited, and eager to learn from, and grow with, the Northside team.”
While in Killeen ISD, Dr. Craft forged a partnership with Central Texas College and Texas A&M University-Central Texas to form the district’s Early College High School in 2015. It has since been named a model College and Career Readiness school by Educate Texas and serves as the state's Texas Education Agency Early College High School demonstration site.
During his tenure, the district has opened two high schools, two middle schools, and seven elementary schools while also renovating and upgrading facilities across the district to include a $100 million dollar renovation to the oldest high school in the district. The result has allowed for 92% of the district's portable buildings to be decommissioned.
He believes in clear, concise communication and focuses on strategic planning to improve student outcomes while managing future district growth.
Dr. Craft began his career in education as a biology teacher and football/baseball coach in Carroll ISD in 1999, then as an Assistant Principal for Carroll High School. After nine years with Carroll ISD, he became the Principal of Timberview High School in South Arlington and encompassed within Mansfield ISD. Dr. Craft served as the Superintendent of Schools for the Hamilton ISD before becoming the Deputy Superintendent for the Killeen ISD in 2012. He was named Superintendent of Killeen ISD in January 2015 and has since served the approximate 45,000 students and 6,100 employees of the district.
Born in Temple, Texas, Dr. Craft spent most of his childhood growing up outside Fort Worth and graduating from W.E. Boswell High School. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of North Texas and his Doctorate in Educational Administration from Tarleton State University. Dr. Craft is married to Choe Lan and is a proud father to two children, Payton and Reagan.
A life-long learner, Dr. Craft serves on numerous local, state, and national committees, including the Education Advisory Board, Texas Education Agency Commissioner’s Cabinet, Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Hospital Executive Board, and the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce Public Policy committee.
“My fellow Trustees and I are happy to welcome Dr. Craft and his family to San Antonio and our amazing school district,” said NISD Board President Karen Freeman. “As a Board, we recognized in Dr. Craft all of those qualities our community, staff, and students expect in an educational leader. We are confident that his experience and commitment to public education will help us continue to grow the long tradition of excellence in Northside.”