Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD dedicates administration building to retiring superintendent Jim F. Chadwell

Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD dedicated its administration building to retiring Superintendent Dr. Jim F. Chadwell during a Dec. 17, 2024, ceremony that drew city and county leaders, school staff and family members.

Board and community leaders recounted Chadwell’s 14 years as EMS ISD superintendent and three decades in public education, and the district announced a new scholarship in his and his wife Julie’s name. "Your care for all students ensuring they are always the top priority makes us proud and honored to have worked alongside you," a board representative said while unveiling the plaque naming the facility.

The dedication included a letter read from the city of Fort Worth supporting a proposal to name a portion of the Marine Creek Trail for Chadwell; the city’s note highlighted his role in the trail extension project in partnership with the parks department and Texas Christian University. "We wholeheartedly support the naming of this trail in recognition of his exceptional service," the letter read as presented by EMS ISD communications director Megan Overman.

City and county officials offered formal recognitions. Macy Hill, District 7 councilwoman, thanked Chadwell for his leadership and partnership; a city proclamation read at the event recognized his 31 years of service and declared Dec. 17, 2024, as Dr. Jim Chadwell Day in Saginaw. Tarrant County Precinct 4 Commissioner Manny Ramirez called Chadwell a "community builder" credited with strengthening regional partnerships.

The board also announced the creation of the "Dr. Jim and Julie Chadwell Superintendent Scholarship," initially funded by the 2024–25 board of trustees and intended to accept ongoing donations to support students. Ali Surface of the district’s Education Foundation described the scholarship and presented a commemorative quilt from campuses and departments.

Members of the newly formed Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD Police Department presented Chadwell with a plaque recognizing his support in establishing the district’s law-enforcement team. The department said the unit grew to include 41 sworn officers, motor officers, a K-9 unit, a bike unit, a rapid response team and a mobile command post during the period discussed at the ceremony.

Chadwell offered a lengthy farewell address in which he thanked his board, leadership team, mentors and family, reflected on teachers’ daily work and invoked his faith. "Every day, I pray, that God will protect the children in the school district," he said, adding that he was grateful to have shared leadership with a supportive board and staff.

The district’s plaque and rock marquee will be installed or updated in the coming weeks and the board said the trail-naming recommendation will be considered by trustees in January. Organizers invited attendees to continue celebrating with Chadwell and his family after the formal program.