James E. Nelson, a former Texas state schools chief, has been named as the sole finalist for the position of superintendent of the state’s 34,500- student Richardson Independent School District.
Mr. Nelson, 54, served as the commissioner of education for Texas from 1999 to 2002 and most recently was the senior vice president for state and federal relations for the Dallas-based Voyager Expanded Learning Systems.
From May to September of last year, Mr. Nelson also served as a senior adviser to the Iraqi Ministry of Education in Baghdad, assisting in the reorganization of Iraq’s schools.
Although the Richardson board of trustees named Mr. Nelson on April 19 as the only finalist, the board must wait three weeks to name him officially as superintendent to allow time for the public to voice any concerns about the selection.
The current superintendent, Carolyn G. Bukhair, 67, plans to retire from the $191,055-a-year position July 1, when Mr. Nelson is expected to take over.
Frank C. Owens recently became a visiting associate executive director of the National Science Teachers Association.
Mr. Owens, 54, who serves as a senior executive and the education policy adviser for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, will be working full time with the Arlington, Va.-based NSTA for one to two years in cooperation with NASA.
In his visiting position, Mr. Owens will help the science teachers’ group design and implement a plan to expand the association’s international member-base. He will also be asked to maintain and strengthen the organization’s industry partnerships.
The NSTA’s membership includes 55,000 science educators, industry representatives, and scientists worldwide.
—Catherine A. Carroll
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