East Dallas Times

New Woodrow Principal Kyle Richardson — Photo by Bruce Felps

By Bruce Felps

After meeting with the Woodrow Wilson High School PTA the night before, new Principal Kyle Richardson last night greeted Woodrow Nation at large.

He walked into the community meet-and-greet at Times Ten Cellars sporting a black polo shirt bearing the Woodrow logo, and he proceeded to calmly, graciously talk with students, parents, and community members.

He seemed to have impressed. Likewise, Woodrow already had made an impression on him.

The open job, vacated when former Principal Ruth Vail announced her resignation after last school year to pursue a doctorate degree, proved to be the only position within Dallas ISD Richardson wanted to pursue.

“Woodrow is the only school where I would have applied,” he said. “I was happy where I was [as principal of Marsh Middle School] but this was the right school at the right time.”

The school’s tradition and history attracted him to the position, he said.

“My wife’s father and uncles, my cousins went to Woodrow, and I heard great stories growing up.”

With a respect for that history, Richardson said he won’t hesitate to make changes where necessary. His primary job consists of  “examining all school systems and confirm, tweak, or toss” programs that work, have merit, or fail.

Richardson also felt the pull of a challenge, partly as it applies to moving from a middle school to a high school and partly because of Woodrow’s International Baccalaureate program and academy structure.

“Woodrow is an academy system so it’s completely different in terms of coordinating. It’s a lot more responsibility.”

Richardson brings a straightforward, seemingly no-nonsense approach to the job, and that philosophy won over at least two leaders of community and parent groups.

Susan Schuerger, a board member of the Woodrow Wilson High School Community Foundation, said Richardson impressed her during interview discussions with his “calm demeanor when speaking and listening. He was very matter-of-fact.”

Jill Cochran, PTA president, said she sees Richardson’s hiring as a positive move for Woodrow’s future but understands that view might not be shared across the faculty roster.

“I think he will be great for Woodrow, and he’ll make the necessary changes administratively, communicatively, and structurally,” she said. “He told us, ‘I’ll meet with the PTA twice a week, and I’ll lead with the bad news.’ We might lose a few teachers along the way because of his high standards.”