Charles (Charlie) Williams has a tough job ahead but said he welcomes the challenge. He hit the ground running last week when he took over as interim superintendent of the Italy ISD.

Williams said he has enjoyed meeting staff and residents thus far.

Williams, a resident of Van Alstyne, spent his lifetime in the education field.

He grew up in Van Alstyne, attended Austin College in Sherman, University of North Texas and Texas Tech University. He has certification in all levels of administration including mid-management and superintendent. He was nine hours short of his doctorate when he became a superintendent.

He began his career as a teacher/coach in the Van Alstyne school district. He was an elementary principal with the Allen ISD when the Val Alstyne school district hired him as the superintendent.

“I felt fortunate that they thought enough of me to hire me back,” he noted. Williams spent the next 15 years as superintendent in his hometown.

Following his retirement, Williams went to a school district in Arkansas where he brought a struggling school district to a “recognized” status within five years.

“I really enjoy the education profession,” he said.

“This job is a challenge but Italy has good things happening. I have been impressed with the things in place to educate the children.” He continued, “We have an excellent staff in the office and I have been really impressed with the teachers in place here.”

Williams said, “I am committed to smaller schools because I really enjoy the small school setting. I wanted my own children to attend a smaller school.” Continuing, he said, “My own children were able to participate in band, athletics, cheerleading, all the activities offered at a small school. In the larger schools, many times students are allowed to participate in only one activity.”

Williams and his wife, a first grade teacher in Van Alstyne, have three children; one is a teacher/coach in the Keller school district, one works in a restaurant and is about to open his own restaurant and one is an occupational therapist in Frisco working with special needs children.

The one concern Williams has for this district, as well as others across the state, is finance.

“This district is in good shape financially,” he said. “We are going to need that for the next two or three years. Things look pretty bleak in Austin.”

He is also concerned about evaluating an entire school district based on test scores (TAKS).

“I believe these kids are getting a good education here, an education that will allow them to do well in college,” Williams said.

“Nobody wants to see those test scores up more than the teachers,” he noted.

Williams said he felt the school board is committed to helping children. “I can see that in these board members. Hopefully, I can lead them to doing that in the most positive way possible.”

Williams said he has an open door policy and is always willing to talk to someone about a problem. His philosophy is to go to the root of the problem to get a situation solved.