Wayne Jennings
Plainview ISD’s Wayne Jennings got a formal welcome to his new role as the Chief Technology Officer during a special called board meeting Tuesday afternoon.
Jennings is a Plainview native, graduating from Plainview High School and attending Wayland Baptist University to receive his bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration and education. He also spent time at TSTC Sweetwater to get his associates in computer networking.
Jennings has been with PISD since 2008, working as a network manager for the district.
“It’s great to see gentlemen promoted from within the organization to the role (of CTO),” Sanchez said.
Jennings told the Herald the promotion to the new role was a “humbling experience” and “an honor.”
The CTO position became a need following a regularly scheduled board meeting on Oct. 20, where the school board discussed updates to the Texas Association of School Boards Policy Manuel.
One of the policy updates mentioned was to designate someone with the responsibility of handling record management.
“It’s the logical choice, (to use the CTO) because this person would have access to pull any information out of district systems for anything requested or legally allowed to be requested for,” Sanchez said the board meeting.
Previously, the district informally gave the responsibilities of the records management officer to now former CTO Brent Richburg. Richburg was the CTO for PISD since 2009 and he was with the district for over 20 years, but recently announced his retirement from the role, according to Sanchez.
Richburg was involved in the hiring process of a new CTO. According to Sanchez, two qualified candidates were interviewed for the position.
“We had two really good candidates,” Sanchez said. “Our hope is that the candidate that came in second place we will have an opportunity for him in the district if the board approves.”
Jennings and Richburg plan to work together to make the transition to the new role a seamless one. As of now, the board is currently searching to find someone to replace the role Jennings is leaving behind.
