LV trustees name Dr. Trent Lovette as lone finalist




Dr. Trent Lovette

“With the excellent supports in place and a school board that is seeking to be the very best, it was an opportunity I could not pass up.”

Dr. Trent Lovette, La Vernia Independent School District (ISD) trustees’ choice for lone finalist for district superintendent, was explaining to the La Vernia News how he came to apply for the job.
District trustees announced their lone finalist after a closed-door Feb. 13 meeting. Beginning with 38 applicants, they conducted first-round interviews the week of Feb. 5 and called finalists back for another interview the second week.

The lone finalist announcement began a state-mandated 21-day waiting period that ends March 6.

“The regular board meeting scheduled for March 5 will be moved to March 8, and voting on the new superintendent contract will happen at that time,” said Theresa Watson, executive secretary to the La Vernia ISD superintendent and school board.

Lovette has a bachelor’s degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida, a master’s degree and superintendent certification from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a doctorate in education from Texas Christian University.

He has worked for the Crowley ISD in southeast Fort Worth since 2000 and held several leadership positions. He currently serves as that district’s chief of governance, policy, and program evaluation, but decided it was time for a change.

“With my oldest child graduating high school this year, I chose to explore superintendent opportunities and began searching for districts where I felt my experiences and skills could make a positive contribution,” Lovette said. “My initial research on La Vernia ISD and the community indicated — while there have been some difficulties in the past year — there is a very strong foundation of support from the staff, parents, and community, who desire to provide a high-quality education for the students.”

Lovette and his wife, Amanda, a practicing pediatrician in Decatur, have an older son, who is attending the University of Alabama. The younger son plans to attend the same university, beginning in August.
“My wife is looking forward to joining me in La Vernia as soon as possible after that,” Lovette said.

In the meantime, Lovette will be relocating himself to La Vernia. He expects to officially go to work for the district April 2.

“I will use the 21 days to listen and learn from the board of trustees, Mr. [Gary] Patterson, and other staff members,” he said. “The feedback I receive will help me transition into the leadership role and continue to build on the excellent foundation that Mr. Patterson has established.”

Patterson has served as interim district superintendent since November, after the resignation of Dr. José Moreno.

Lovette comes to La Vernia from a school district with about 15,000 students on 23 campuses, compared to La Vernia’s approximately 3,400 students on four campuses. During Lovette’s 18 years with Crowley, on the south side of Fort Worth, that district’s student enrollment grew by more than 8,000.

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