After six years of serving on the Tyler ISD Board of Trustees, Rev. Fritz Hager Jr. is resigning his post serving Single Member District 6. His resignation is effective June 10, 2021.
In a letter submitted to fellow trustees, Hager expressed his gratitude for being a "small part of the work that has made Tyler ISD schools something the entire community can be proud of again." Hager said he plans to attend law school to practice law with his wife, Sarina, at their law firm, Hager Law, PLLC. "While I will continue to serve as a pastor at Bethel Bible Church and as a chaplain in the Texas State Guard, going back to school will prevent me from regularly attending board meetings and giving the role of Tyler ISD trustee the attention and time that the students and staff of Tyler ISD deserve," he said.
Hager was first appointed to the Board in 2015 to fill a vacancy in Single Member District 6. In 2016 and again in 2019, he was elected by voters to serve 3-year terms, with his latest term expiring in 2022.
"Rev. Hager's Board membership has been instrumental in the improvements Tyler ISD has made over the last six plus years," Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford said. "There was a reason this school board was honored as the East Texas Board of the Year, and then, a Top Five in Texas Honor Board in 2019. There is no doubt his work, as part of a core that served together during that time, set the stage for the District to move from good to great. He has been a champion for all children in our school system and modeled that impactful board governance is done professionally, with successful student outcomes as the priority. I wish Rev. Hager, Sarina, and the Hager family all the best in his post-board service experiences, and look forward to watching him tackle other challenges that positively impact the outcomes and hearts of those he serves."
Current Board President Wade Washmon praised Hager's years of service and leadership. "Rev. Hager was an integral part of a group of trustees that were never afraid to take on monumental issues facing our school system," he said. "His well thought out, controlled, and process-oriented approach to governance was always valued at the board level and contributed greatly to the successful student outcomes that we've had during his time on the Board. We wish Fritz and the Hager family all the best in their future endeavors!"
The Board of Trustees will deliberate to determine the statutory options regarding this vacancy.
For more information, please contact Jennifer Hines at 903-262-1064.