Frisco ISD Superintendent to Retire, District Prepares Inclusive Search

Frisco Independent School District confirmed on Nov 11, 2025 that Superintendent Mike Waldrip will step down on June 30, 2026. Waldrip has led the district since 2017 and has served nearly 44 years in public education. The district credited Waldrip with prioritizing strategic planning, expanding academic programs and strengthening community partnerships during his tenure.

The announcement begins a transition period that gives the district time to conduct a national search while continuing instruction and services next school year. The board of trustees has said it will begin the process to identify candidates for his successor and will pursue a thoughtful and inclusive search. That approach signals an effort to involve multiple stakeholders as the district seeks leadership that can maintain and build on current initiatives.

For parents, teachers and students in Collin County the change in leadership comes at a moment when continuity matters for classroom programming and support services. School leaders shape district priorities for curriculum, special education services, language acquisition programs, and school based health and mental health services. A superintendent can influence how the district partners with local hospitals, mental health providers and the county health agency, all of which affect access to care, prevention programs and emergency response planning for students.

Waldrip leaves a record that the district framed around planning and partnership, elements that often underpin efforts to reduce inequities in education and health. Maintaining those partnerships will be important for sustaining services that reach vulnerable students, including access to nutrition programs, school based health care and targeted academic supports. The next superintendent’s commitment to equity will shape how the district addresses disparities in outcomes across different schools and student groups.

The board has not announced a timeline for candidate interviews or community engagement sessions, but the June 30 effective date provides a window for an orderly selection process that includes community input. Local advocates and service providers will likely watch for opportunities to weigh in on priorities such as resources for student mental health, outreach to families with limited English proficiency, and investments in schools serving higher needs populations.

As the district moves forward, Collin County residents can expect regular updates from the school board about the search process and opportunities to participate. The transition will be closely watched by families and community partners who rely on Frisco ISD schools not only for education but also for health services and social supports that contribute to children's well being and community resilience.