Dr. Cade Smith | New Braunfels ISD
News travels fast in the superintendent world, and when Mr. Randy Moczygemba announced his retirement, I knew right away that I wanted the opportunity to join the New Braunfels ISD team and would apply for the NBISD superintendent position.
It is no secret that the New Braunfels’ community is a great place to live, and because of that, we are now considered a fast-growth school district. The community’s overwhelming desire is to maintain our traditions and keep that small-town feel while we grow. This community does that.
Recently I attended New Braunfels Living Legends, a program where our community recognizes folks who have made significant contributions to who this city is and what it represents. After being recognized, each speaker has an opportunity to say a few words to the audience and speak about the uniqueness of the New Braunfels’ community.
Inductee Atanacio Campos emphasized that he gets asked all the time about what makes this community so unique; what is it about New Braunfels that makes it such a great place to live and raise a family?
He simply said, because our people band together, volunteer their time and serve because it is that important.
Ray Martinez spoke of when he first arrived in New Braunfels. At that time, some in the community were nervous about the impending growth of Auslanders (outsiders). He spoke about how today’s New Braunfels’ culture helps those in the community contribute to the New Braunfels’ way.
Coach Jim Streety talked about his calling to return to New Braunfels and serve the community as the district’s first athletic director. He is a great example of service before self.
My experience in the short time I’ve served as superintendent is precisely that; my family and I have been welcomed in an extraordinary way. Everyone from our Board of Trustees to city dignitaries to parents, business owners and community members has embraced us like family. They invest time to find out about us, who we are and how they can help us get plugged in to start building relationships.
Most of the conversations in my first three months have been about how my family is doing with the transition, restaurant recommendations, recommendations for things to do and festivals to attend. It has been so refreshing.
Other things make the New Braunfels’ experience so unique. Think for a moment about our high school mascot, a Unicorn. We are the only school district in the state with a Unicorn as a mascot. We are possibly the only district in the nation with the Unicorn as a mascot.
Our Board is passionate about our district’s role in this community. They want the very best for the community and want our mission, vision and core beliefs to align with community expectations.
They are committed to being the best Board they can be. Recently, all seven Board members took time off work and were away from their families to attend the Texas Association of School Boards conference. Our Board had 100 percent attendance all three days because they are committed to growing as a team of eight and making this school district the best that it can be.
This community is served by two school districts, Comal ISD and New Braunfels ISD. There is a partnership between these districts, and the superintendent of Comal ISD, Andrew Kim, has been a valuable resource for me as I transitioned into NBISD. He has served this community as a superintendent for almost a decade and is always available to answer any questions I may have. A rising tide raises all ships, and his willingness to help me is just another great example that if you need something in this community, there is always someone to help.
We are proud to be Unicorns. As a school district, we need to develop core beliefs and values that are consistent with that. We want to model behaviors that exemplify our school district as the pride of this community; this community bleeds blue and is proud of its roots and of the role this district plays in developing our greatest resource — our children.
Embracing Your Community—It’s your Superpower.
Dr. Cade Smith serves the New Braunfels ISD community as its superintendent of schools. He received his bachelor’s degree from Texas State University, his master’s degree from Lamar University and his Ph.D. in School Improvement from Texas State University. He may be reached at cadesmith@nbisd.org.
