CLAY GILLENTINE HIRED AS THE NEW BRENHAM SUPERINTENDENT
The Brenham School Board officially hired Clay Gillentine as the next Superintendent at their noon meeting Thursday. Gillentine’s 3-year contract calls for an annual salary of $185,000. His pay falls within the bottom 25th percentile of pay for school districts of Brenham’s size.
Gillentine was named on March 7th as the lone finalist for the position. By law, the board has to wait 21 days after naming a lone finalist before it can move forward with hiring the selected candidate. Gillentine has served as acting superintendent since October, after the departure of former superintendent Dr. Tylor Chaplin. The hiring of Gillentine was the only thing on the agenda besides the public comment period, that no one signed up for.
BRENHAM ISD's PRESS RELEASE:
BRENHAM ISD BOARD UNANIMOUSLY NAMES CLAY GILLENTINE AS SUPERINTENDENT
BRENHAM, TX – March 28, 2024
Today, during a Special Board Meeting held at noon, the Brenham Independent School District (Brenham ISD) Board of Trustees proudly announced the appointment of Mr. Clay Gillentine as the Superintendent of Brenham ISD. The decision was reached unanimously by the board members, marking a significant milestone for the district.
In his remarks during the meeting, newly appointed Superintendent Clay Gillentine expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, acknowledging the significance of the day before Easter weekend and extending his heartfelt thanks to his family, the board, and the community. Mr. Gillentine emphasized his commitment to the district's mission and to prioritizing the well-being and education of all students. He shared, "I'll come to work every day like I'm interviewing for my job. And number two, I'm in the kid business. Kids come first. We are Brenham."
Board President Natalie Lange also addressed the occasion, thanking Mr. Gillentine for accepting the position and recognizing the dedication and leadership he has demonstrated throughout his tenure with the district. She commended his collaborative approach and the positive impact he has already made on the district, expressing confidence in his ability to lead Brenham ISD forward.
Mr. Gillentine, who has been serving as Acting Superintendent since October 2023, previously held the role of Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services, where he showcased a profound commitment to enhancing the educational experience for all students.
Brenham ISD, with a current enrollment just under 5,000 students, eagerly anticipates Mr. Gillentine's official appointment as Superintendent following the state-mandated waiting period. The board and the entire Brenham ISD community extend their warmest congratulations to Mr. Gillentine on his appointment and look forward to continued collaboration and progress under his leadership.
Exact Quotes from Board Meeting 3.28
Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-dBhcRN4ecBrenham ISD Board Meeting 3-28-2024 Regular Board Meeting
BISD Superintendent Clay Gillentine:
Let me just say a couple of things if I can insist on a couple of notes here. First of all, it's kind of neat. This is the day before Easter weekend. I'm a person of faith. And I want to thank God first and foremost for this opportunity. Secondly, to my wife and kiddo this this job is a family commitment. Wow, is it a family commitment and you know, I thought I knew being at this cabinet-level now for a decade and several school districts and as the superintendent's designee. You think you understand that and until you're you're in that seat and it's a whole other level. So it's a family commitment, and thank you, thank you, to my family, to this board. The way we've come together. Thank you. Thank you for this opportunity to this board in the community you represent. To the community you represent it say thank you. Lastly, to my team, I can't look at them. I can't even I can't even speak to Them. I'll get emotional. So just thank you. Two promises. Number one, my wife hears me say this every morning. I'll come to work every day like I'm interviewing for my job. And number two, I'm in the kid business. Kids come first. We are Brenham. Thank you
BISD Board President, Natalie Lange:
I'm sure I'm not the only one that wants to say something and I'll try not to get emotional too but thank you so much for agreeing to this position. It is so much and thank you to your family because it is a 24/7 365 days a year and it's I think got to be the hardest job in town and and lonely. There's only one superintendent and in the whole town and not that many in the state. So we appreciate you for any organization, especially at this size. Ideally, you promote from within, especially to that top position, and having this interim time you showed the board and the community a pivot that was essential and the job that you've done and the way that you've brought your team together and the community together is impressive, and we appreciate you and we're thrilled that you agree to this position. Let's sign on the dotted line and make it official.