WOC picks Harris

An assistant principal for the Cedar Hill ISD in Dallas County is the lone finalist for superintendent in the West Orange-Cove school district. The WO-C board voted 4-3 to make Rickie Harris the lone finalist. After 21 days Harris (pictured with his wife Shalawn) will officially become the new superintendent. Harris has been an educator for 14 years. He has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a master’s degree in school leadership, both from Abilene Christian University. He also is certified by the Texas Education Agency to be a superintendent. Cedar Hill is a 5-A school district while WO-C is a 3-A district. Board President Pete Amy praised Harris for his enthusiasm. He said Harris already has “an entry plan developed and is ready to put it into place upon his arrival.” The vote for Harris was approved by Amy, and trustees Sarah Jefferson-Simon, Eric Mitchell and Ruth Hancock. Board Vice President Bryan “Chop” Thomas Muhammad made a motion to hire Travis Weatherspoon as superintendent before the vote on Harris. Trustees Nathaniel Colbert and the Rev. Hardy O’Neal voted with Muhammad for Weatherspoon. After the meeting, Muhammad said he supported Weatherspoon because he has experience as a superintendent and an assistant superintendent. In addition, Weatherspoon spent 14 years in the WO-C school district and has ties to Orange back four generations. “He is a well-rounded, well-known person,” he said. In addition, Weatherspoon has experience working with special education. Muhammad said the district at this time needs someone with that knowledge. People in the community supported Weatherspoon, he said. “I make votes for the people who put me in office,” he said. Muhammad said he will support Harris. “Now it’s time for us to go forward,” he said. Harris has worked in the Cedar Hill, Itasca, Hillsboro, and Wilmer-Hutchins school districts in Texas. His experience includes high school principal, coordinator of alternative programs, biology teacher and coach. In addition, he has coached football at the collegiate level. He and his wife have two children.