Texarkana ISD Board Names Sherri Penix Interim Superintendent
The Texarkana ISD Board of Trustees accepted Superintendent Dr. Doug Brubaker's resignation and appointed Deputy Superintendent Sherri Penix as interim superintendent effective July 21.
The Texarkana ISD Board of Trustees accepted the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Doug Brubaker during its regular meeting Tuesday evening and appointed Sherri Penix as interim superintendent, effective July 21.
Brubaker’s final day with the district will be Aug. 12. He is leaving to become superintendent of Chesapeake Public Schools in Chesapeake, Virginia.
Penix, who currently serves as deputy superintendent, will lead the district while the board conducts a search for a permanent replacement.
Board President Amy Bowers said the appointment reflects confidence in Penix’s ability to maintain the district’s momentum.
“Mrs. Penix has helped lead many of the initiatives that are producing positive results for our students,” Bowers said. “We are confident in her leadership and know she will continue to focus on what matters most: student achievement, expanding opportunities, and supporting the employees who make this district successful.”
Penix joined Texarkana ISD in August 2021 and has served as both chief innovation officer and deputy superintendent. She has led efforts to expand academic and career pathways and strengthen instructional programs across the district.
Before coming to Texarkana ISD, Penix served as assistant superintendent of human resources and campus support for Fort Smith Public Schools in Arkansas. Her career in public education spans more than 40 years and includes roles as a teacher, counselor, principal, district administrator and university adjunct faculty member.
Under her leadership, Euper Lane Elementary School in Fort Smith earned designations as both a National Title I Distinguished School and a National Blue Ribbon School from the U.S. Department of Education.
Penix holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and early childhood from Southern Arkansas University, a master’s in guidance and counseling from Henderson State University and an education specialist degree in educational leadership from Arkansas Tech University.
“Our district has made meaningful progress because of the work of our teachers, staff, administrators, and the support of our families, Board of Trustees, and community,” Penix said. “I look forward to continuing that work together as we focus on increasing student achievement, expanding opportunities for every student, and building on the progress already underway.”
The board said it will begin the superintendent search process in the coming weeks.