Rockwall ISD’s College and Career Academy Named After Former Superintendent

Pictured (L to R): Leigh Plagens, Dr. John Villarreal, Stephanie Adams, Dr. Gene Burton, Julie Burton, Christopher Cuny, Linda Duran, Jon Bailey, Russ Childers, Jim White

(ROCKWALL, TX – May 16, 2017) On Monday, May 15, at their regularly scheduled meeting, the Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name the College and Career Academy after longtime Rockwall ISD Superintendent, Dr. Gene Burton.  Dr. Burton served in public education for 33 years with 16 of those years in Rockwall ISD.

The College and Career Academy was Dr. Burton’s vision in 2004 in the pursuit of furthering career and technology programs for the benefit of students and the economic development of Rockwall County. That vision will become a reality as a result of the 2015 bond program.

A sub-committee of the Board of Trustees considered options based on community input and presented their final recommendation to the board on Monday evening.

Dr. Burton and wife, Julie, were present to receive the honor.  After the board voted to approve a resolution naming the new school, Dr. Burton was presented with a plaque of the resolution to commemorate the occasion.

The Gene Burton College and Career Academy is scheduled to open in the fall of 2018 and will serve high school students from both Rockwall HS and Rockwall-Heath HS in an expanded offering of career and tech courses.

He attended the Irving public schools and graduated from Irving Nimitz High School in 1972. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Christian University. As a baseball player for TCU, he received many awards and honors, including being named “All Southwest Conference.” He earned both his master’s degree and his doctorate degree in Education Administration from Texas A&M University-Commerce.

Prior to serving in Rockwall ISD, Dr. Burton spent years as a teacher and coach in the Waxahachie Independent School District and as superintendent of the Frost and Giddings school districts.

Under Dr. Burton’s leadership as Rockwall ISD’s superintendent, the district’s academic performance and financial health both increased significantly. During his tenure, he was also instrumental in forming the Rockwall Independent School District Education Foundation, Inc.

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