Dr. Waggoner Selected as Council Chair
By Kate Y. Hector, Media Coordinator | Tuesday, February 10, 2015 2:42 PM
Dr. Kay Waggoner, superintendent at Richardson ISD, was selected as the UIL Legislative Council Chair for the 2014-2105 school year. As chair, Waggoner is looking forward to continuing to hear proposals for increased student involvement as well as the opportunity to review UIL rules.
“I think the UIL is one of the best organizations in this nation for students,” Waggoner said. “It is about expanding opportunities for student involvement, developing life skills and strengthening character traits such as commitment, dedication, leadership and sportsmanship. It is about learning to win but also learning to lose.”
Dr. Charles Breithaupt, UIL executive director, said Waggoner’s leadership and dedication to doing what is best for all the students in Texas make her an excellent chair for the Council.
“She has served on the Council for several years and always puts the needs and best interests of all young people first and foremost,” Breithaupt said of Waggoner. “We have an exciting opportunity with the UIL Constitution rewrite process this year, and I believe Dr. Waggoner will lead us through it with flying colors.”
The UIL was directed by the Sunset Advisory Commission to conduct a review of the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules. To begin the process of complying with this recommendation the University Interscholastic League Rewrite Advisory Committee (RAC) met for the first time on Feb. 1. The RAC is divided into eight subcommittees that will review every UIL rule.
Waggoner will serve as the RAC chair and as chair of one of the subcommittees, and said the rewrite process will be one of the Legislative Council’s largest challenges and opportunities this year.
“I think the voice of individuals who work with students will be heard throughout the rewrite process,” Waggoner said. “I am an advocate for continuous improvement. I think it is a wonderful opportunity at the state level to evaluate all aspects of the UIL. We have an opportunity to continue doing things the UIL has done well over time and to tweak areas that will help us improve.”
Waggoner’s involvement with UIL activities began in junior high as an alto saxophone player in Woodville, Texas. Her high school band director, Mr. Jerry Brown, led the Woodville High School (formerly Kirby High School) band to UIL Sweepstakes trophies each year and to many other opportunities through UIL music participation.
“I learned a great deal from participation in UIL activities — dedication, commitment, team work,” she said. “I also learned the voice of the whole is far more powerful than the voice of one.”
After earning her Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University, Waggoner entered the world of education and hasn’t looked back since. She later completed her Doctor of Philosophy degree in conjunction with the Cooperative Superintendency Program from the University of Texas at Austin. She has worked in public education for more than 33 years, with 26 of those in administration.
“I wanted to be able to make a difference and to have a sense of purpose each and every day,” Waggoner said. “I have never regretted the decision to dedicate my life to education.”
Throughout her time as a superintendent, Waggoner said she has enjoyed watching students participate in UIL activities in all disciplines.
“Regardless of the event, I feel this sense of pride when students perform, and the sense of support from staff, parents and community members. It builds family,” she said.
Throughout Waggoner’s time on the Legislative Council, the passion and enthusiasm from those presenting proposals has been consistent.
“Even if I didn’t support a proposal because I didn’t think it was appropriate statewide, I have always appreciated people who took time to attend the meetings, approach the Council and advocate for something in which they believed,” she said.
Though the Council has a unique challenge this year in beginning the Constitution rewrite, Waggoner looks forward to serving as chair.
“I feel honored to be a part of the Legislative Council, and I feel tremendously honored to serve as chair,” Waggoner said. “This is the ultimate honor in terms of serving the UIL and the students of Texas.”