Rice CISD Superintendent retires

Rice Consolidated Independent School District Superintendent Bill Hefner officially retired after his last day in the position last Friday, Aug. 31.

The news comes after Rice CISD held a special Board of Trustees meeting earlier in the year on April 10, discussing Hefner’s retirement and naming his successor. Hefner leaves Rice CISD after more than 26 years of being a part of the school district and more than 11 years as Superintendent.

“I have been fortunate to have a wonderful career I worked all my years in education,” said Hefner. “I have no regrets. I had my dream job and was able to come home and work in the district where I attended school. I love public education, and we must continue to fight for adequate funding for all our public schools.”

In a letter addressed to students and staff, Hefner highlighted his gratitude for his time at Rice CISD.

“I wanted to reach out to everyone this last time and say thank you for your support for the 26 plus years that I have been able to work with the staff, students, parents, and communities of Rice CISD,” said Hefner. “I truly have been blessed from above to have been given the opportunity to work in the communities I was a student in many years ago. It has been a dream come true.”

“Thank you to past and present Board Members, parents, grandparents, extended family members, taxpayers, and most importantly the awesome students that I have gotten to know over the years that make us all proud to be Raiders,” said Hefner. “It is a challenging world out there and it truly takes all of us working together to mold our students into the great young people they have and will continue to become. Thank you again for everything as words cannot express my true level of appreciation and gratitude to you all.”

Joe Michael Romo, Vice President of the Rice CISD Board of Trustees, wrote a thank you post for Hefner on Facebook, expressing his gratitude to the now former Superintendent.

“Thank you, Mr. Bill Hefner, for your dedication over the past several years to the Rice CISD district and to our community,” said Romo. “It is never a goodbye because we all know you will be back to the Rice CISD family again. Thank you for the support you have given to all the staff and students throughout these years. Our San Antonio School Board conferences will not be the same anymore, but we know Mr. Kenny Center will do great taking over your spot. Now go enjoy your retirement.”

Former Rice High School Principal and current Rice CISD Superintendent Kenny Center was named Hefner’s successor and officially instated into the position September 1. Hefner had high praises for Center, who he personally recommended to the Rice CISD Board of Trustees to take over his position.

“He is awesome and will be a great leader and take the district to new levels of achievement in all areas,” said Hefner. “The Board of Trustees made a great choice in selecting him as the Superintendent of Rice CISD. I am going to stay on and help Center transition until the end of the calendar year. Thank you to everyone for everything, go Raiders and God bless Rice CISD.”