Chris Moore

moorech@friscoisd.org
Meghan Cone
conem@friscoisd.org
469.633.6060

News Release
For Immediate Release:
March 17, 2017

Final School Year for Frisco ISD

Superintendent
Dr. Jeremy Lyon Announces Retirement from Top Academic Performing
School District after 31 Years of Service in Public Education

Frisco, Texas The 2016-2017 school year will be the final one for Dr. Jeremy Lyon,
superintendent of Frisco Independent School District. After 31 years, the last four at Frisco ISD, Dr.
Lyon is retiring from public education on June 30, 2017.
After more than three decades in public education, this will be my last school year. When I was
teaching in East Texas, I never could have imagined I would end up here with the privilege to lead one
of the states top performing school systems thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Board,
teachers and staff, parents, students and the Frisco community, Dr. Lyon said. Thanks to
extraordinary educators and to the vision and incredible support from our Board, I am able to leave a
school district drawing a record number of families who value high academic standards and a
personal learning environment for every student.
Dr. Lyon began his career in education as a high school science teacher and coach in Gilmer, Texas,
and rose through the ranks to lead one of the fastest growing school districts in America.
Leading a bold effort to educate and inspire the next generation of leaders is no easy feat, and we
were blessed to have Dr. Lyon at the helm, said Board President Anne McCausland. Even with
unsurpassed growth, Dr. Lyon remained resolutely committed to the Districts mission to know every
student by name and need and maintained its focus on students academic success. He will continue
to have an impact long after his retirement, and we are extremely grateful for everything Dr. Lyon has
done for the school children of Frisco.
While FISD incurred the highest student enrollment percentage jump in the state, student academic
performance increased each year. Frisco ISDs academic performance ranks first among large school
districts in Texas.
Still soaring, Frisco ISD scores higher than the state average in all areas on state tests. Last
school year, 92 percent of students in FISD met or exceeded the STAAR Satisfactory standard
in all subjects 17 percentage points above the state average.

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 Frisco ISD students continue to outperform their peers from across the state and country on
the ACT with an average score of 24.6. Average ACT scores in FISD increased in every tested
subject over the past five years, while participation in the exam climbed by more than 63
percent.
While SAT scores have declined across the state and nation, more Frisco ISD students taking
the SAT made extraordinary gains on the SAT college admission exam, earning an average
score of 1624 in 2016, which is 232 points above the state average.
Frisco ISD students took 10,560 AP Exams in Spring 2016 with 72 percent of the tests taken
scoring higher than a 3, enabling students to potentially earn college credit and save their
families thousands of dollars in tuition. With an average score of 3.22, Frisco ISD
outperformed the Texas average score of 2.51, the U.S. national average of 2.85 and the global
average score of 2.87 on the AP exams.
In addition to academics, as a former coach, Superintendent Lyon never lost his passion for health
and wellness. Students in the District are participating at record numbers in extracurricular activities
such as athletics, fine arts and academic competitions.
While adding 2,500-3,500 students each year as one of the fastest growing school districts, Frisco ISD
also has earned high marks and recognition for its financial strength and transparency, including the
following:
Texas Leadership Circle Program Platinum Award
Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in
Financial Reporting
Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) Certificate of Excellence in Financial
Reporting
ASBO Meritorious Budget Award
Moody's Ratings: Aa1 Underlying / Aaa Enhanced
Standard & Poors Ratings: AA+ Underlying / AAA Enhanced
Transparency Star for Traditional Finances from the Texas Comptroller
Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) Superior Achievement Rating
I am looking forward to continuing to work closely with the Board, staff and our community right up
until the day I retire and my successor begins work, Superintendent Lyon said. I have full confidence
the Board will choose a successor who will build on the districts strong growth and achievements
and provide the next superintendent the same unwavering support so Frisco schools will continue to
thrive.
Dr. Lyon is planning to remain in Frisco as he moves on to lead a national effort to advance preventive
health practices for children. He has been named the first president of Cooper Youth, a division of The
Cooper Institute, to build a healthier, stronger generation.
The Frisco ISD School Board will meet on Monday, March 20 to discuss a robust and efficient search
process for the new leader of the 56,000-student school district.
Were sad to see Dr. Lyon go, but we are proud he is leaving remarkable pathways for continued
successes at this great school district, McCausland said. As we plan ahead, we look forward to
working together as a Board to gather feedback from educators and staff, families and the community
on characteristics desired of our next superintendent.

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