Hubbard To Stay at Chilton ISD

Marlin ISD Superintendent Finalist Hubbard Withdraws,

Community Asks for Answers in Special Meeting,

Jones Named Acting Superintendent

By Alexandra Montoya, Staff Reporter news@themexianews.com 

Lone Finalist for Marlin ISD Superintendent, Dr. Brandon Hubbard announced on Facebook that he has withdrawn his candidacy and will remain with Chilton ISD, where he has served as superintendent since 2016.

Hubbard cited a breakdown in negotiations with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and district conservator as the reason for the withdrawal.

“Though my heart was to serve, I cannot begin this season by allowing my work and my success to be devalued,” Hubbard stated in the post. “I truly wish the Marlin ISD all the best and will continue to pray for the success of that institution.”

The comment section was a mixed bag, with many praising Hubbard’s decision and respecting the notion of him knowing his worth, while others expressed regret or loss for Marlin ISD, and Chilton Pirates celebrated the retention of such a leader. Others still expressed frustration about the fumbled opportunity and involvement of TEA.

This news broke on Friday, Sept. 5, the night before Hubbard’s planned contract signing in the MHS Boardroom at 10:30 am.

Instead of the scheduled, celebratory signing event for Hubbard, MISD held a special board meeting on Saturday, Sept. 6. 

Almost two dozen community members showed up, seeking answers about how and why the district was unable to secure a contract with Hubbard. Local pastor George Stricklin AKA “Minister Slugger” received a standing ovation from some for asking hard questions and pulling no punches in his public comment.

“When we had a town hall meeting, I specifically asked that question, would the community’s input for what we were searching for as a leader be taken seriously? And there were certain qualities in a superintendent that the community stated in unison that we were looking for. The candidate that was selected, Dr. Brandon Hubbard, exemplified all of those qualities. This man has a proven track record of running a successful school district with 9 years as superintendent of Chilton ISD. Under his tenure, they’ve never failed state accountability; he’s always maintained an A-B average for his accountability and test scores. For the life of me I cannot figure out why we did not make this happen.”

Three more Marlin residents expressed similar sentiments in the public comment portion of the meeting, asking for transparency.

While the board spent more than two hours in executive session, many attendees continued discussions and speculation about who is to blame for the retraction of Hubbard’s candidacy for MISD Superintendent, who could benefit from this deal falling through, and whether the situation is salvageable.

A nearby classroom had been decorated with balloons and purple tablecloths, beverages and a cake bearing “Welcome Dr. Hubbard” and the Marlin Bulldog profile were set out. Meeting attendees were invited to enjoy the refreshments despite the lack of celebratory circumstances.

Upon reconvening in open meeting, the board unanimously approved naming Norman Jones the acting superintendent of Marlin ISD. Jones has been serving in that role since Sept. 2, after Superintendent Daryl Henson’s final day on Sept. 1, 2025.

Board president Byrleen Terry stated she felt those in attendance deserved to hear an explanation, and read the following press release (signed by TEA Conservator Rudy Treviño) before the meeting adjourned:

Marlin Independent School District is disappointed to announce that Dr. Brandon Hubbard has withdrawn from the district’s superintendent search process. While we respect his decision, the district believes it is important to provide clarity and context regarding the negotiations.

The school board made multiple attempts to contact Dr. Hubbard and his attorney today and we respect his decision not to engage any further.

Throughout the process, the Marlin ISD Board of Managers and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) appointed conservator remained transparent and committed to securing the best possible leadership for the district. This commitment included offering a highly competitive compensation package that balanced the district's needs with responsible stewardship of public funds.

Contrary to suggestions that Dr. Hubbard's work was devalued, the proposed package included:

• A base salary of $187,000, representing a $40,000 increase over his current salary at Chilton ISD;

• $39,000 in performance-based incentives; and

• Standard superintendent benefits, including Texas Teacher Retirement System (TRS) contributions, insurance, and 20 days of annual leave.

This package would have made Dr. Hubbard the highest-paid superintendent among districts with fewer than 1,000 students in ESC Region 12, and placed him in the top 10 statewide for similarly sized districts.

We thank Dr. Hubbard for his interest and wish him continued success in Chilton ISD. Marlin ISD remains committed to identifying a leader who shares our vision for academic excellence, community engagement, and sustainable growth. Our board conducted a nationwide search for the best qualified superintendent candidates, and we will continue to work towards identifying the best path forward to select the next leader for Marlin ISD.

When the meeting adjourned immediately following the press release, several in attendance stormed out, frustration and disbelief evident on their faces.

According to a TEA Document titled “2023-2024 Superintendent Salaries,” Henson was making $235,000 per year at that time, without factoring in longevity pay. The length of the contract was also an issue according to Hubbard’s wife, Linda on Facebook; two years and ten months.

After the meeting, Treviño stated that Jones is already doing the work.

“He is appointed until further notice, but we did a nationwide search so we have to revisit with candidates that we interviewed or determine a different course of action,” Treviño said. “The board has invested a large amount of hours and days into this process. It’s unfortunate that our candidate withdrew, but Mr. Norman Jones is an experienced leader and he will continue to lead us until we decide who the next leader will be.”

Keep an eye out for updates on this story in the next issue of The Marlin Democrat!