At a special meeting on Wednesday, March 8, Birdville ISD’s Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Billy Pope as principal of Cheney Hills Elementary. He is replacing Shane Conklin, Ed.D., who left the District in December to take a position in another district. 

Pope has been serving as interim principal at Cheney Hills since January 2023. He retired as principal at Mullendore where he served from 2006–20. Before serving as principal, Pope was an assistant principal at The Academy at C.F. Thomas, Smithfield and Watauga elementary schools from 1998 to 2006. Pope taught science and English at Haltom Middle, and grades 2–5 at North Ridge and West Birdville elementary schools from 1991–98. 

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