Sept. 10, 2024
For Immediate Release
COPPERAS COVE – After more than three decades in Texas Public Education, Copperas Cove ISD superintendent Dr. Joe Burns has announced he will retire from his role.
Dr. Burns, who made the announcement at Tuesday evening’s meeting of the Board of Trustees, first arrived in Copperas Cove in June 2012. Since then, he’s overseen the vast improvement of the district in every facet of education.
Burns began his career as a science teacher before moving into administration, working in Jasper, Lufkin and Zavalla ISDs. His final stop as a campus administrator was in Lufkin ISD, where he served as principal before a 24-year run as superintendent across four districts.
He began his career as a superintendent in Hubbard ISD before moving to southeast Texas, where he served as superintendent in Kirbyville CISD and was named 2007 State Superintendent of the Year by the Texas Association of School Boards. In 2009, Dr. Burns was named Vidor ISD’s superintendent, where he was for three years before moving to Cove.
Since arriving in Copperas Cove, Dr. Burns has overseen improvements to district facilities, in order to ensure each student learns in a modern classroom. The district has, under Burns’ leadership, renovated several campuses to meet the needs of today’s students while working to minimize the impact to taxpayers.
“The last 12 years have been the absolute highlight of my personal and professional life,” Burns said. “The community of Copperas Cove has loved and supported my family and me more than I could have ever imagined. The school community has taken up the charge to make sure every child succeeds.”
CCISD has also seen great improvements to its instructional efforts, with Burns overseeing the reorganization of the district’s Instructional Services department. These efforts, the addition of a literacy program in younger grade levels to ensure a strong foundation for all subjects, as well as other curriculum initiatives such as strengthening the CTE program, were the catalyst for the district’s B+ rating in 2022, the most recent year accountability ratings were released. In 2023, House Creek Elementary became the district's first National Blue Ribbon School.
The district continues to be strong financially, lowering its tax rate in six consecutive years and continuing its strong performance. CCISD has never been rated lower than “Superior” on the TEA’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, which is the highest possible rating. In 2023, the district received a perfect score.
Under Dr. Burns’ leadership, the district’s business office received the Texas Association of School Business Officials’ Award of Merit for the first time.
“Dr. Burns has proven to be an unparalleled leader for Copperas Cove schools in so many ways,” said Joan Manning, President of the CCISD Board of Trustees. “First and foremost, he loves and focuses on students, and it is evident. He has also been unwavering in his commitment to our staff, our school board and our community. Dr. Burns has been a beacon of excellence in Texas education during his decades of service and, in retirement, will continue to dedicate himself to an equally important role with his family.”
Dr. Burns will remain as superintendent through December 31st.
“I am convinced that I have had the opportunity to serve the best school board in all of Texas,” Burns said. “A part of me will always be with the good people of Copperas Cove and the Copperas Cove ISD. Thank you for allowing me to serve in such a wonderful place.”
The Copperas Cove ISD Board of Trustees will immediately begin a search for its new superintendent.
“Our district has thrived, achieving milestones in student and staff success and well-being, while depending on Dr. Burns’ thoughtful, prayerful, endearing personality and superlative guidance,” Manning said. “We will miss Dr. Burns with an unending respect, gratitude, and love for all he has meant to our Copperas Cove school district and community.”
Trustees also approved the hiring of James Saint as the district’s new Director of Safety & Security. Mr. Saint comes from Weatherford ISD, west of Fort Worth, where he has served in the same role after a lengthy career in the U.S. Marine Corps and law enforcement.
While in Weatherford, Saint oversaw the district’s school marshal program, which provides armed security for each campus, similar to the school marshal program launched in Cove in the 2023-24 school year.
Trustees also approved the purchase of two new school buses, one 54-passenger bus with a lift for students in wheelchairs and a 77-passenger bus. Purchase of a remanufactured engine to replace one which has failed in a bus currently in the district’s fleet was also approved Tuesday.
The board also approved replacing the aged fire alarm system at Clements/Parsons Elementary, a districtwide effort which began when the board approved the same project at S.C. Lee Jr. High earlier this year.
The board will next hold a special meeting on Monday Sept. 16th.
Once posted, agendas can be viewed 72 hours ahead of scheduled meetings at on the CCISD School Board webpage.