UPDATED: Joshua ISD super announces retirement; Fran Marek to wrap up 33 years of service

May 27—Joshua ISD Superintendent Fran Marek announced Thursday that she will reitre June 30, 2023.

Marek will remain in her position as superintendent until Dec. 31, and beginning Jan. 1, she will serve as superintendent emeritus until June 30, giving the Joshua ISD board time to transition to a new superintendent.

"Joshua is like my second family," Marek said. "I have so many connections here. This district is my heart. The people here are my heart. It is bittersweet."

Marek moved to Joshua from Lousiana in 1990 when she and her husband got married. She began her career teaching eighth-grade science at what was then Joshua Middle School.

Both of Marek's children graduated from Joshua High School. Her daughter is now a teacher in Azle, and her son just completed his first year at Texas A&M University.

"It's time for me to give undivided attention to my family," she said. "It's something we've talked about. But you just know and it's just that time."

Marek will retire with 33 years of service, with the last 10 years as superintendent.

"On behalf of the entire district, the board of trustees expresses its sincere appreciation to Ms. Marek for her efforts while serving as superintendent of this great school district and its wonderful students, parents and administrators, and for the many achievements and accomplishments of the entire district team during Ms. Marek's tenure as superintendent," a release from the district reads.

During Marek's tenure, the district has accomplished many academic goals. JISD has been an A rated district by the Texas Education Agency.

The first JISD Wall of Fame Class was inducted in 2014, and three years later the Agriculture Project Center was opened.

JISD created its own police department in the 2017-18 school year.

They also began a partnership with Hill College in the 2018-19 school year offering students a fully funded opportunity from JISD to receive both a high school diploma and an associate degree diploma. The first cohort graduates this month.

The district increased the number of Advanced Placement Exams from 86 AP exams in 2016 to 474 AP exams in 2022.

Over the last 10 years Joshua ISD has increased the Career and Technical Education Programs of Study and Industry Based Certification opportunities for all students in grades 9-12.

"There's so many things I'm proud of but I feel like it's not just me, it's the entire district working together — students, parents, family," Marek said.

While she is proud of the academic and athletic achievements the district has accomplished, she said she is most proud of is the send-offs for students going to play-offs or state competitions.

"We started the send-offs after my first year [as superintendent]," she said. "What I love about that is the pride. It was to bring pride to our kids and build that pride. To watch the elementary kids run up to the fence and cheer on the older kids is amazing.

"We started that nine or 10 years and the kids that are on the buses in the send-offs now are the kids that were the elementary kids watching that."

Marek said she loves getting to see the students when they are recognized at school board meetings.

"Our UIL accomplishments are huge and I'm so proud of that because outside of the classroom that also shows our kids expressing themselves and accomplishing things that will make them completely whole and successful in life," she said. "I'm proud of all of them. Every one of them hits a different area. Every kid has a special gift. All of these areas — athletics, fine arts programs, one act play — all of those things are incredible. I just enjoy watching the progress."

As for her plans for the future, Marek said it's up in the air.

"I have to do something so I'm considering possibly doing some work teaching at a university or just volunteering at my church," she said. "I just don't really know at this point."

On Thursday afternoon, Marek said she expected to get teary-eyed at that night's JHS graduation ceremony, knowing that it was her last one.

"I'm sure I'll have weepy moments because it's the last graduation. These kids I've watched them since elementary school," she said. "Many I have known since elementary school. When you see them walk across the stage, that's why we're here. These are the moments that are very near and dear to me. I will miss that the most. I'll miss the people most. I'm looking forward to the next phase of my life."

Marek said although she's sad to be leaving the district, she knows it will continue to improve, event without her.

"This is a great district full of great people and it will just continue to become greater and greater, I have no doubt," she said.