Namesake

Known as a quiet leader with a steady vision, Ed Rawlinson always focused on what was right for students. Soon after becoming Superintendent in 1995, Rawlinson said he wanted "people to think of Northside as a school district where all students reach their maximum potential and as the school district that builds the capacity in teachers and principals to accomplish that." In 2000-01, Northside became the largest school district in Texas to achieve Recognized District status, no small feat in a district as large and diverse as NISD.

Ed Rawlinson devoted 39 years of his life working in education, 31 of those years at Northside ISD where he established the "Family Friendly Schools" concept that today permeates the culture in NISD.

Rawlinson, a respected state leader in education, has drawn praise from many people including Dr. Nancy McClaran Oelklaus, former executive director of the Texas Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (TASCD) of which Rawlinson was President in 1996. She says "he has earned tremendous respect because of his integrity, his even-temperedness, his attention to detail, and his drive to do what is right. He's a man who believes in seeking and speaking the truth."

Rawlinson was hired by Northside in 1971 to research and implement multi-track year-round schools as a possible solution for managing Northside's enrollment growth. Years later, with about 9,000 elementary students participating in ACE, or Alternate Calendar Education, Northside had one of the largest 'year-round' calendar programs in Texas. In addition to the ACE program, Rawlinson was instrumental in the development of four of Northside's magnet high schools "Health Careers, Business Careers, Communications Arts and Sunset (now Excel Academy). In addition to his extensive knowledge in school finance, Rawlinson is described as a visionary in curriculum and instruction

Rawlinson led Northside's march into the 21st century with the development of the District's Strategic Plan and two back-to-back successful bond issues that totaled more than $700 million to build new schools in what has become San Antonio's "destination district."

A native of Kingsville, Rawlinson received three degrees from Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M at Kingsville): a B.S. in secondary education (math/history) in 1963; a B.A. in history/English in 1967; and a M.A. in school administration/English in 1967. He has also completed all the course work toward a doctorate in School Administration from The University of Texas in Austin.

Rawlinson's career in Northside includes Associate Superintendent for Research and Planning, 1975-76; Associate Superintendent for Pupil Services, 1976-82; Associate Superintendent for Instruction, 1982-94; Deputy Superintendent for Instruction, 1994-95; and Superintendent from 1995 to 2002. In addition he was a teacher Kingsville ISD and an administrator in Tuloso Midway ISD and Corpus Christi ISD.

Rawlinson and his wife Bobbye have three children and two grandchildren.