Fresh directors off to work

ELGIN ISD

Two new Elgin Independent School District hires started their careers as department leaders recently, impacting both current programs and future development.

Stormy Hickman, a school district executive with experience in instructional leadership, was brought on as Elgin ISD’s new executive director of teaching and learning, and longtime district administrator Burton “Rainey” Lann is returning as bond projects executive director.

“I believe that together we can do great things for kids, and I’ve made it my life’s work to ensure that students are able to greet every opportunity that comes their way with confidence and optimism,” Hickman said.

During her time as executive director of elementary education with the fast-growing district of College Station Independent School District, Hickman helped lead the curriculum and instruction, early childhood development, special programs, emergent bilingual programming, gifted and talented, dual language and at-risk and state compensatory education departments.

Hickman has also worked as a principal, assistant principal, director of human resources and English teacher, with over 20 years of experience in education.

Focused on the district’s new bond approved by voters in May, Lann returns to Elgin ISD after serving as executive director of operations from 2015-23, handling construction and capital improvement project management.

“I am excited to return to Elgin ISD and embrace the challenges that come with a new bond,” Lann said. “I expect the new position to share similarities with my previous duties. With this role focusing solely on design and construction, it will allow me to be more involved in each project, ensuring a quality result for the district and the Elgin community.”

The $375 million bond projects include new elementary and middle schools, an expansion to Elgin High School, priority maintenance, campus upgrades, athletic facilities and other improvements to help address evolving district needs arising from rapid enrollment growth.

The district is currently continuing work on 2021 bond projects.

Lann also oversaw maintenance and operations, safety and risk management and transportation departments as head of operations, leading approximately 110 employees. Previously, he worked as director of facilities and construction for Manor Independent School District and director of facilities and operations for Hutto Independent School District between 2006 and 2015.

Lann most recently was program manager for Eastern Research Group, which managed technicians and work orders at a U.S. Navy facility, including a facility condition assessment involving 880 buildings on the base.