Board names Cheney Hills Elementary principal 

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. 

BISD Launches Cheney Hills Web and Social Media Sites (2021)

Cheney Hills Elementary

The new Cheney Hills Elementary campus is scheduled to open August 2021. On Wednesday, Jan. 13, BISD launched the website for the new campus along with the Facebook page for the campus.  

Dr. Shane Conklin, Cheney Hills Elementary principal, will provide updates on the opening of the new campus. 

BISD Announces Cheney Hills Elementary Principal

Shane Conklin

Birdville ISD Superintendent Dr. Darrell Brown announced the appointment of Shane Conklin, Ed.D., as principal of the new Cheney Hills Elementary. The new campus was approved by voters as part of the 2018 Bond and is scheduled to open August 2021. Students from Major Cheney Elementary at South Birdville and Richland Elementary will come together in August to become the student body of Cheney Hills Elementary. 

Conklin has been principal of Major Cheney Elementary at South Birdville since July 2020. Prior to joining Birdville ISD, he was assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction in Decatur ISD from 2018–20, 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.