Superintendent Austin announces retirement
At the Monday school board meeting Superintendent Kenny Austin submitted his resignation after 34 years with the Friona ISD. He told the board he would remain with the district until August 2016 or until a suitable replacement is hired and the transition made.
Austin came to Friona ISD in the fall of 1982 as a junior high 6th grade coach and science teacher. After three years he moved to the high school as assistant football and track coach and later became head coach for track and cross country.
He said he got out of coaching in 1991 and was the yearbook sponsor and taught social studies. He served as assistant high school principal under Frank Belcher and became the high school principal in 1998 when Belcher went to Texline. He later moved to the administration office in charge of federal programs and technology coordination.
In 2006 he became the interim superintendent when Jim Parker retired and was subsequently hired as the permanent superintendent. Along with the board he has overseen many construction projects in the district including the building of the Activity Center at the high school, new roofs and air conditioning on all campuses, while keeping up with the many state and federal regulations.
He and wife Lori's future plans include moving to the Albuquerque area to be near their daughters Erin and Lacy and a new grandson. Austin is a native of Melrose, New Mexico.
