Abilene Board of Trustees names experienced administrator as interim superintendent
The Abilene Board of Trustees named Dr. James M. Largent as the district’s interim superintendent following Dr. David Young’s transition into retirement in January 2024.
Young will officially retire from Abilene ISD June 30, 2024. He stated his belief in Largent’s abilities and experience to lead the district as the Board searches for the next full-time superintendent.
“Dr. Largent is a veteran Texas school leader with a statewide track record of success,” said Young. “I am certain the Abilene ISD community will benefit greatly from his steady and professional leadership while our Board completes the superintendent search process.”
Largent has 21 years of superintendent experience and 31 years of service in Texas public schools.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to express our confidence in Dr. Largent’s leadership experience and administrative skills,” said Daryl Zeller, Abilene ISD Board President. “We are excited to have Dr. Largent on our team as we work diligently to select the best candidate to lead AISD into a bright future.”
He is currently the founder and CEO of Largent Consulting, LLC, and works to support schools and corporate partners in executive searches and superintendent mentorship.
Prior to the 2018 establishment of his consulting firm, Largent served as superintendent of schools in Granbury ISD, Rusk ISD and Chireno ISD. He also served two separate terms as interim superintendent for New Braunfels ISD.
His experience includes more than a decade of service in teacher and administrative positions for high school and athletic programs.
Largent is a four-time nominee for Superintendent of the Year in Regions 7 and 11. He was presented with the Key to the City of Granbury in 2018 and awarded an honorary life membership from Texas Association of School Administrators in 2019.
Largent holds a doctoral degree in education from Sam Houston State University and a superintendent certification from Texas A&M University-Commerce. He also completed a master’s degree in educational administration at SHSU and a bachelor’s degree in physical education at Lamar University. He is the author of Leading in Chaos: A Commonsense Blueprint for New and Aspiring School Leaders, a 2022 Amazon bestseller.
In addition to his career as an educator and administrator, Largent has served Texas students and communities as a leader for the Texas Association of School Administrators, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Association of Mid-Sized Schools, and Texas Association of Community Schools. He is a previous member of the governing board of the American Association of School Administrators and prior chairman for the Granbury Chamber of Commerce and Lake Granbury Medical Center.
“I am excited to get to work with AISD’s students, staff, and school board in the spring,” said Largent. “I have a lot of respect for Dr. Young and the job he has done for the past nine years in the district. My goal will be to provide support to the staff and students and continue the great work happening in Abilene ISD schools, while providing a smooth transition between Dr. Young and the next superintendent of AISD.”
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Abilene Board of Trustees names interim superintendent following Young
