By Vanesa Brashier, editor@bluebonnetnews.com
Cleveland ISD’s board of trustees formally hired Chris Trotter as the new superintendent at a special meeting on Thursday, April 25. He was named as the lone finalist for superintendent at the April 3 meeting, but the district had to wait the state-mandated 21-day waiting period before making it official.
Trotter will replace outgoing superintendent, Dr. Darrell Myers, who is retiring. Trotter’s first day on the job is May 2.
Some board members brushed back tears as they voted on Trotter’s contract, a testament to how beloved Myers is in the community. Trotter knows he has big shoes to fill.
“Thank you all for the opportunity,” Trotter said after the vote. “Rachel and I are looking forward to relocating. We are looking forward to being in Cleveland and building on what Dr. Myers has set forth.”
Trotter says he plans to use the first weeks on the job to get to know district staff members and see how district programs are working.
“Shortly thereafter, we will get results in from our standardized tests and start making adjustments through the summer,” he said.
With multiple construction projects either wrapping up this summer or continuing into the next school year, and with a $125 proposed May 4 bond election that could provide for more campuses and expansions, Trotter knows a big part of his job will entail supervising projects and dealing with the unprecedented growth that has hit Cleveland ISD in recent years.
“We have one elementary building on the ground, which is great addition to the district,” Trotter said. “I will be looking at the bond election on May 4 to see how we proceed.”
Board Secretary Kelly Jenkel-Axton and Vice-President Christina Purkerson say they are confident that Trotter will be a good fit as the district moves forward.
“We couldn’t have picked a better candidate that will fall in behind Dr. Myers. I think the community and staff will be really happy with him,” Jenkel-Axton said.
Purkerson added that Myers will be sorely missed but the district made the right decision to hire Trotter.
A retirement celebration for Dr. Darrell Myers and wife, Patti Myers, will be held on Friday, May 3, from 3 to 7 p.m., at the Cleveland Civic Center. The public is invited to come and wish the Myers well as they head into the next exciting stage of their lives.
Chris Trotter, the new superintendent of Cleveland ISD starting on May 2, visits with Kristy Jones, band director. 
Dr. Glenn Barnes, Cleveland High School principal, greets Chris Trotter (right) at the Thursday, April 25, meeting of the Cleveland ISD Board of Trustees. Trotter is the new superintendent for the district. 
Chris Trotter (left) is congratulated by outgoing Cleveland ISD Superintendent Dr. Darrell Myers (right) and Cleveland ISD Board Trustee Ronnie Lewis at Thursday night’s meeting where Trotter was formally hired as the next superintendent. 
Dr. Darrell and Patti Myers are both retiring on May 3. A retirement celebration will be held on May 3, from 3 to 7 p.m., at the Cleveland Civic Center. Anyone who wants to wish them well is welcome to attend.