Birdville ISD Superintendent Dr. Darrell Brown announced the appointments of four principals and the director of special education at the April 16 Board meeting.

Donald Bartlett was named principal of Jack C. Binion Elementary. He is replacing Hilda Hager, who has recently accepted a position at Central Administration.

Bartlett has been the assistant director of athletics in Keller ISD since 2018. Prior to 2018, he was principal at Timber Creek High School in Keller ISD from 2016–18 and principal at South Grand Prairie 9th Grade Center in Grand Prairie ISD from 2013–16. He has served in various other education positions at the elementary and secondary levels since 1999.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas and master’s degree from Dallas Baptist University.  

Jim Calvin, Ed.D., was named principal of Green Valley Elementary. He is replacing Dawn Demas, who is retiring at the end of the 2019–20 school year. 

Calvin has been the principal at REALM Secondary School in Burleson ISD since 2019. Prior to Burleson, he was principal of STEAM Academy at Stribling Elementary in Burleson ISD from 2015–19,  elementary principal of Fort Worth Christian School from 2011–14, and principal at Grapevine Elementary from 2002–11. He has served in various other education positions since 1989.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas Wesleyan University and his master’s and doctorate degrees from Texas Christian University.

Conklin has been assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction in Decatur ISD since 2018. Prior to Decatur, he was director of student and staff services in Coppell ISD from 2016–18, director of human resources in Granbury ISD from 2015–16, director of secondary education and leadership in White Settlement ISD from 2013–15. He has served in various other education positions since 1999.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa, his master’s degree from The University of Texas at Arlington, and doctorate from Nova Southeastern University.

Merritt Dobecka, was named principal of Mullendore Elementary. She is replacing Billy Pope, who is retiring at the end of the 2019–20 school year. 

Dobecka has been the assistant principal and campus behavior coordinator at Walker Creek Elementary since 2017. Prior to Walker Creek, she was an advanced academic interventionist in BISD from 2014–17, and curriculum specialist gifted and talented in Northwest ISD from  2013–14. She has also served in other administrative and teaching positions since 1993.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and master’s degree from the University of North Texas.

Tamera Diller, was named director of special education. She is replacing Laura Holt, who retired from the District in January. 

Diller has been senior director of special education in Beaumont ISD since 2016. Prior to Beaumont, she was director of special education in Marlin ISD from
2014–16, itinerant deaf education teacher in Dallas ISD from 2013–14, special education teacher in Lewisville ISD from 1998–2013, and a special education teacher in Dallas ISD from 1997–98.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas Woman’s University and master’s degrees from Texas Tech University and Dallas Baptist University.