Birdville ISD Superintendent Dr. Gayle Stinson announced the appointments of Mark McCanlies as principal of the Birdville Center of Technology and Advanced Learning (BCTAL), Kyle Pekurney as principal of Richland High School, and Jason Turner as principal at Smithfield Middle School. McCanlies is replacing Carol Adcock, who is retiring at the end of the 2021–22 school year; Pekurney is replacing Mark McCanlies, who was recently named principal at the BCTAL; and Turner is replacing Kyle Pekurney, who was recently named principal at Richland High School. 

McCanlies has been principal at Richland High School since 2019. Prior to Richland High School, he was principal at Richland Middle School from 2017–19, an associate principal at Richland High School from 2010–17, assistant principal at North Ridge Middle School from 2006–10, a teacher/coach at Richland High School from 1989–2006, a teacher/coach at North Richland Junior High from 1988–89, and a teacher/coach at Crockett Junior High in Odessa from 1987–1988. 

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Angelo State University and master’s degree from The University of Texas at Arlington. 

Kyle Pekurney has been principal at Smithfield Middle School since 2011. Prior to Smithfield Middle, he served as assistant principal at Richland High School from 2008–11 and freshman academy director at Birdville High School from 2007–08. Pekurney served as a social studies teacher and coach at North Richland, Smithfield, and Watauga middle schools between 1996–2007. 

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

Jason Turner has been assistant principal at Smithfield Middle School since 2011. Prior to serving as assistant principal, he was a special education teacher and coach at Smithfield Middle from 2004–11. 

Turner earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas and master’s degree from Lamar University. 

“It gives me great comfort knowing that I can trust three of BISD’s tenured and respected administrators to take on new leadership roles within the District,” Dr. Stinson shared. “I feel confident that Mr. McCanlies, Mr. Pekurney, and Mr. Turner will continue the tradition of excellence at these campuses for many years to come.” 

They will begin their new leadership roles in the District on July 1, 2022.