Monday, April 29, 2024
The Granbury Independent School District announced the hiring of three new staff members — Lissa Oliver, Lacey Padgett and Lamont Moore — during a regularly scheduled school board meeting Monday, March 25.
LISSA OLIVER
Oliver, who was recently named the director of community relations, previously served as Granbury ISD’s director of communications before Ryan Cox assumed the role in 2023.
She worked as a media production and technology student teacher at Granbury High School in 2004 and during the spring semester of 2005, and was a long-term substitute for the district.
Following a brief stint at another school district, Oliver has worked for GISD in some capacity since 2008 — excluding her role as a remote special education coordinator with ResponsiveEd Solutions from 2023 to 2024.
Oliver’s jobs within GISD have included: Granbury High School English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) teacher, 2008-2010; ELAR and journalism teacher, Acton Middle School, 2010-2011; library media specialist, Oak Woods School, 2011-2020 (she was named Teacher of the Year in 2018); instructional specialist, Oak Woods, 2020-2021; and assistant principal for Oak Woods from 2021 until 2022, when she was named the district’s communications director.
“I may be new to this role but it’s the same excitement,” Oliver told the Hood County News. “Whether it’s the classroom, school library, front office or administration building, serving people has always been my favorite thing about any role from which I've served.”
Oliver’s drive and leadership skills were evident even as a college student at the University of Texas at Austin when she worked for Wells Fargo Bank from 2001 to 2004. She handled customer relations and became lead teller.
From 2005-2008, Oliver worked as an ELAR teacher and girls athletic coach at Hillwood Middle School in the Keller school district.
She came back to Granbury in 2008 and has worked for GISD ever since.
"Working for Granbury ISD feels like being home,” Oliver said.
She said her main goal as director of community relations is to “assist the district in carrying out the vision and mission according to the Strategic Plan.”
"Our vision states, ‘Granbury ISD inspires excellence and empowers all students to be future ready and positive contributors to their community.’ Community relations is simply creating connections, fostering relationships, and sustaining partnerships that lead to student achievement,” Oliver said. “As director of community relations, I will be driving district engagement that best supports the Strategic Plan, such as leading volunteer programs, planning community outreach, and coming alongside our many community partners to build a supportive learning environment based upon positive relationships, respect, integrity and a sense of belonging.”
Oliver earned a Bachelor of Science degree in communications from the University of Texas at Austin in 2004. That degree was followed by a Master of Education in school librarianship, which she received from the University of North Texas in 2007, and a post-graduate principal certification from Lamar University in 2020.
She holds a host of other certifications and the “leadership” list on her resume is even longer. It includes serving as a member of the Oak Woods Campus Leadership Team; president of the Acton Middle School Lady Pirate Booster Club; newspaper sponsor and yearbook advisor for AMS; advisor for the GHS Key Club; and a member of the Hood County Library Advisory Board, among other things.
Currently, Oliver said she is still trying to find that “free time” and figure out her own hobbies, but she enjoys the chaos in raising her five daughters — Baylor, Larin, Mailey, and twins Elle and Kate — with her “incredibly patient husband,” Casey.
If you’re a parent/guardian, community member, or local business wishing to learn more about engagement opportunities at Granbury ISD, please email lissa.oliver@granburyisd.org or visit granburyisd.org/community.
LACEY PADGETT
Dr. Lacey Padgett was recently named principal of Nettie Baccus Elementary School. She had previously served as the executive director of teaching, learning, and innovation at Castleberry ISD since 2022.
Padgett takes over for previous Baccus Principal Julie Rohleder, who was recently elevated to principal of Granbury Middle School. The new Baccus leader will begin her new role at the conclusion of the 2023-24 school year.
“I am excited about the opportunity to serve the wonderful school community of students, staff and families at Baccus Elementary,” Padgett told the Hood County News. “Baccus is known for its dedicated teachers and staff who genuinely care about students and their well-being. I am looking forward to working closely with all of the teachers and staff to ensure the continued success of our students.”
With 28 years in public education and nearly 20 years as an administrator, Padgett brings extensive leadership experience to Granbury ISD and Baccus Elementary.
Before Castleberry ISD, Padgett was the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction at Ennis ISD. She has also served as a teacher, curriculum specialist, HR director, assistant principal and principal in Bastrop ISD along with working for ESC Region 13 as a school improvement/turnaround leadership specialist. Additionally, Padgett spent three years as an elementary principal in Oklahoma.
“Some of my goals (as Baccus principal) include establishing a nurturing and positive learning environment for students, supporting our teachers in their daily work and growth, fostering a sense of community among staff, students and parents, and continuing to implement innovative educational approaches to promote students' academic and personal development,” Padgett said.
During her time at Ennis ISD, Padgett played an integral part in moving the district from a C (75) to a B (89) with an A (92) in school progress as well as implementing the first-ever dual language program for emerging bilinguals and a new teacher mentoring program.
“We are so excited to welcome Dr. Padgett to Baccus and Granbury ISD,” Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Glenn said in a Granbury ISD news release. “She is committed to creating a positive culture where students and staff are challenged and encouraged to reach their highest potential. I look forward to seeing all that Baccus will accomplish under Dr. Padgett’s leadership.”
Padgett holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Lamar University, a master's degree in educational administration from Concordia University at Austin, and a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies from Texas State University.
During her free time, Padgett has been involved in various capacities within organizations such as the Lions Club, the Bastrop County Child Protective Services Board and Meals on Wheels.
“Beyond volunteering, I find joy in activities related to anything water, gardening and reading, as well as spending quality time with my family and friends,” she said.
Padgett is married to her husband of almost 28 years, Bruce, and they have two grown children: Cailey and Casen.
“I am dedicated to ensuring the success of every student by nurturing a secure and welcoming learning environment, championing academic achievement and fostering parent and community engagement,” Padgett added. “I am enthusiastic and honored to serve the Baccus Elementary school community and eagerly anticipate an exceptional upcoming school year.”
LAMONT MOORE
Lamont Moore was recently appointed GISD’s director of athletics. Moore comes to the district from Waxahachie ISD, where he was most recently the head track and field coach. In his career, he has also served as a teacher, coach and campus administrator.
“I am incredibly grateful and extremely humbled for the opportunity to serve Granbury ISD and the Granbury community as athletic director,” Moore said, in a Granbury ISD news release. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to lead the athletic department and get involved with the community. I look forward to working with our great head coaches, providing a culture and commitment to athletic excellence, and a memorable student-athlete experience.”
As director of athletics, Moore will oversee athletic programs at Granbury High School, Acton Middle School and Granbury Middle School. He will also supervise athletic facilities at all GISD campuses.
“I’m most excited about the opportunity to add value to a really good district and see how I can impact the entire district and community,” Moore told the Hood County News. “My main goals are to create a culture of class, excellence, integrity and personal growth.”
“Lamont Moore is an outstanding leader who comes highly regarded and recommended to Granbury ISD,” Glenn said in the GISD news release. “Coach Moore has an exceptional ability to foster relationships with student-athletes, coaches and the community. He’s the perfect fit for us at Granbury and I look forward to watching our athletic department excel under his direction.”
Moore was employed at Waxahachie ISD for over six years where he served as head track and field coach, and as assistant football coach from 2015-20 and the 2023-24 school year. From 2020-23, Moore joined Burleson High School where he was an assistant principal, head track and field coach and assistant football coach.
“I have a passion and heart for student-athletes,” Moore added. “I want to see them thrive and see personal growth. That comes through great coaches in which I'm in charge of hiring and developing.”
He began his coaching career at Coram Deo Academy in Flower Mound in 2010 and was later the assistant head football coach of the Home School Athletic Association in Richardson from 2013-15 before joining Waxahachie ISD.
Moore is a Waxahachie native and 1993 graduate. He was inducted in 2023 into the Waxahachie High School Athletic Hall of Fame for leading WHS to the 1992 4A UIL Football State Championship as an All-American and the Dallas Morning News’ Metro Player of the Year. He went on to play football at Baylor University as a quarterback and wide receiver where he received a Bachelor of Arts in sociology. He earned a master's degree in educational leadership from Southwestern Assemblies of God University.
After college, Moore played professionally in the Arena Football League for nine years for the Dallas Desperados, New Orleans Voodoo and Orlando Predators, scoring over 25 touchdowns in his career. In 2019, Moore was awarded the Leadership Award from the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce. He was also on the Ellis County Transformative Leadership Cabinet, which is a community leadership cabinet established for the purpose of making a positive impact on the lives of those living in Ellis County.
During his free time, Moore said he likes to relax, play golf, listen to music and travel.
Moore takes over as director of athletics from Dwight Butler, who announced his retirement effective June 2024 after 18 years at Granbury ISD.
“I’m super excited to be here,” he added. “Go Pirates!”
