This morning (Feb. 12), the Lubbock Independent School District (Lubbock ISD) Board of Trustees announced two leadership changes and provided 2025 Bond construction updates during their regular meeting.
Michael Stewart named as next Lubbock High School Principal
Michael Stewart, the current principal of Hutchinson Middle School, was named principal of Lubbock High School (LHS) for the 2026-2027 academic year. He returns to LHS after serving that campus as associate principal from 2013-2023.
Stewart has served as Hutchinson principal since March 2023. During his time leading the campus, the school saw significant improvements in instructional practices and the student educational experience. He has been an educator in the district since 2002 when he joined the O.L. Slaton Middle as a U.S. history teacher and then served as assistant principal of that campus. He holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Lubbock Christian University and a bachelor’s degree in history from Texas Tech University.
Stewart will fill the role held by Douglas Young who announced his retirement in January. Young has served as LHS principal since August 2009 and will conclude his time at LHS this spring.
On Tuesday, Feb. 24, Hutchinson Middle School staff and families are invited to a community meeting to learn more about the transition process and selecting the school’s next principal. Staff is invited to attend from 4:30-5:15 p.m., while a meeting for parents will take place from 5:30-6:15 p.m. Both meetings will be held on the Hutchinson campus (3102 Canton Ave.) in the library.
Brenda Butts named as new Director of Specialized Instruction
Brenda Butts has been named as the district’s new Director of Specialized Instruction in the district’s School Support and Special Services (S4) department. In this role, she will lead and direct the instructional programming for special education resource and inclusion services, including dyslexia specialized instruction; and bilingual programming, ensuring high-quality services that meet state and federal requirements.She will also supervise professional development, coaching and program implementation to ensure students receive quality instruction while teachers are supported in delivering research-based practices.
She currently serves as S4’s coordinator of resource and inclusion, where she oversees resource and inclusion programs and staff for more than 35 campuses in the district’s four feeder patterns.
She joined the district as a special education teacher at Atkins Middle School in August 2003 and has also served as a special education instructional coach at the district. She holds a master’s degree in special education, a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and principal certification from Lubbock Christian University.
Butts will begin in her new role on July 1, 2026.
Sites approved for three new elementary schools included in 2025 Bond
The Lubbock ISD Board of Trustees approved the sites for the construction of three new elementary schools included in the 2025 Bond approved by Lubbock voters in May 2025. When considering the sites, the Administration and Facilities Committee considered several key factors: optimization of bond revenue, minimizing disruption to instruction and learning, timely completion of the construction and projected enrollment of the new campuses.
The sites approved are as follows:
Bean Elementary School: Construction of a new school building for Bean Elementary was approved for the current location of the O.L. Slaton Middle School Building. 1602 32nd St.
Stewart and Williams Elementary Schools: Construction of a new school building for the combined Stewart and Williams elementary campuses was approved for the current location of Williams Elementary, 4812 58th St.
Wolffarth and McWhorter Elementary Schools:
Construction of a new school building for the combined Wolffarth and McWhorter elementary campuses was approved for the current location of the Matthews Building, 412 N. Akron Ave.
Student and staff recognitions
The meeting also featured recognition of several students, including seven state qualifiers in the State FFA Leadership Development Events, seven DECA state qualifiers, and 22 football student-athletes who earned Academic All-State honors.
Seven Lubbock ISD schools recently recognized as Texas Honor Roll STAR Schools and eight educators recently named National Board Certified teachers were also recognized at the meeting.