As the EMS ISD Superintendent prepares to retire after 14 years of service to the district, the Board of Trustees unanimously voted to designate the district’s multipurpose administration facility in his honor. The facility will now be known as the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD Dr. Jim F. Chadwell Administration Building.
“As one of the longest, consecutively serving superintendents in Texas of his time, Dr. Chadwell is known as an influential educator who led with bold purpose, heartfelt compassion, fearless advocacy, and a sincere desire to do what is right for students, staff, families, and community,” said Dr. Marilyn Tolbert, Board President. “His service has positively impacted every facet of our district, and his legacy will continue to ensure that generations of EMS ISD students and families can benefit from the power of public education in their hometown community.”
Tolbert said several options for honoring Chadwell’s legacy were discussed, as he has had direct and profound impacts on the visions for, designs of, and cultures built within buildings throughout the school district. During his 14-year tenure as Superintendent, the district has grown from 23 schools and 16,600 students to 34 student and staff facilities, a student enrollment of more than 24,800, and a staff roster of nearly 4,000 employees.
One of those facilities is the administration building, which opened in fall 2021 as a multi-purpose facility that serves the daily functions of staff support and business operations as well as targeted initiatives for student learning and regular gatherings for district and community groups.
“Dr. Chadwell’s vision and forethought is reflected throughout the design and function of this building and we are so proud to honor him with this namesake,” Tolbert added.
Chadwell was thankful and humbled by the building designation.
“I just want to say thank you, I’m really, really honored,” Chadwell said. “I remember walking through the woods and thicket on this site … and I’m just very, very proud that we now have a building that not only is pretty, but it’s also a place where we can do good work, provide for kids, and be a place for the community to come in and use. Thank you for acknowledging me and my family name, I’m just very appreciative.”
Chadwell will continue to assist with the transition of leadership until his retirement on January 31, 2025.
About Dr. Jim F. Chadwell
Dr. Chadwell joined EMS ISD as Superintendent of Schools in 2010. Under his leadership, the district strategically and responsibly planned for future growth while increasing programs and opportunities for students at all grade levels. He oversaw the passage of two bond programs resulting in four new elementary schools, one new middle school and a replacement middle school campus, the district’s third and fourth high schools, a standalone career and technology center serving all high school campuses, a new administration multipurpose facility that includes a Discovery Lab Learning Center, additions to the John L. Price Operations Center, and renovations to every facility across the school district.
Amid his many other accomplishments during his 14 years as Superintendent was the implementation of the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD Police Department and subsequent effort to grow the program to provide a school-based law enforcement officer at every EMS ISD school and prioritize comprehensive safety and security support across the district.
Dr. Chadwell has devoted a total of 31 years to public education in Texas, serving in various teaching and administrative roles across three area school districts including teacher, coach, high school principal, executive director, and deputy superintendent. His education leadership experiences also include a teaching internship in Hamburg, Germany, and Fulbright Scholarship in Altötting, Germany.
He earned many honors during his career, including being selected as the 2023 Region 11 Superintendent of the Year and a top five state finalist, High School Principal of the Year by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals, TCU Excellence in Education Alumni Award recipient, Excellence in Educational Leadership Award recipient by the University Council for Educational Administration, and the Saginaw Citizen of the Year. Throughout his service, he has remained an active leader with various civic and professional organizations. He holds a Lifetime membership in the Texas PTA and is an honorary member of the EMS Retired School Employee Association.
