Lubbock ISD board approves two principal appointments after closed session

The Lubbock Independent School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved two principal hires following an executive closed session on Oct. 11.

Trustee Burry moved to hire Jack Percoupile as an executive principal; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously, President Bridges said. The board then voted unanimously to hire Vanessa Barboza Silvas as principal at Cavazos Middle School.

The board convened an executive closed session under Texas Government Code Chapter 551 before taking the two personnel actions. After the meeting reconvened, Trustee Burry made the first motion: “I move that we hire Jack Percoupile as an executive principal.” The motion received a second and was approved by voice vote.

Jack Percoupile, speaking after the vote, thanked the board and district staff and said, “My only objective is to not let you down in any way.” He referenced mentors and the Monterey community where he served, and thanked colleagues including Dr. Amy Stevens, saying he was “honored” to serve in the new role.

The board then moved to hire Vanessa Barboza Silvas as principal at Cavazos Middle School. The motion to hire Silvas was made, seconded and approved unanimously. Silvas, whose remarks noted her long service within the district, said, “They remind me every day of the importance of this work and the power of believing in every child's potential.” She described having served as academic dean at Cavazos and referenced the Texas Tech principal fellowship and the Holdsworth leadership pipeline as part of her preparation for the role.

Members of the board offered congratulations to both appointees after the votes. The meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m., after a brief period for remarks and a planned photograph with principals and trustees.

No dissenting votes or conditions attached to the appointments were recorded in the public portion of the meeting.