There are a lot of female teachers. More than a fair share of female principles. But superintendents? Not so many. A study by the U.S. Department of Education counted 1,984 women superintendents in the nation out of a total of 13,728. About 14%.
But at Linden-Kildare Independent School District in Cass County, women more than hold their own in the leadership ranks. L-KISD is among a very small number of districts that not only have a female superintendent, but also only female principals.
After five years as a high school principal, Keri Winters has served as superintendent for three years.
The high school principal is Shekita Martin, a Linden-Kildare alumni. The junior high principal is Rebecca Owen, who moved here from Dublin, Ireland, three years ago. The elementary principal for the last two years has been Carolyn Oliver.
"I did not seek out to only hire women, they were just the best applicant for the positions at the time," Keri said.
A 1991 graduate of Elysian Fields High School, Keri went to college at Stephen F. Austin State University. There she walked on to the school's nationally-ranked girls basketball program.
She left with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics in 1995 and a master's dgree in education in 1996.
"I taught math and coached basketball for 13 years," she said.
She is also the first local superintendent to handle COVID-19 contamination involving a staff member on a bus.
"Once we received confirmation that there was a positive for COVID-19, we immediately quarantined the remainder of staff that was on that route," Keri said. "While under quarantine, three other staff tested positive."
Since then, everything has changed for everyone.
"While this is an ever-changing thing, we are still trying to focus on the things that we were working on," she said. "We are looking at doing campus renovations, have an efficiency study in progress and getting things ready for the '20-'21 school year.
"I am so proud of how our staff has stepped up to the challenge to make things happen. Much of the direction is coming with little notice and our staff is rising to the challenge."
The district hasn't yet decided how to handle graduation.
"We are discussing ideas and how other schools are handling it," Keri said, "but we will do some thing special for our seniors."
She is known for stepping up her game when it is needed.
"Keri is just wonderful," said Culinary Arts instructor and L-KHS cafeteria manager Janet Sewell. "She handles everything so professionally."
The district has had a hard year, even before the pandemic. The deaths of two staff members and three students has left an air of sadness on the high school campus.
"We lost Mr. Barton to cancer last March, then the three students, then Mr. Kalinec on Easter. I also lost my little sister to cancer last March. It has definitely been rough. There is no way to explain the losses," Keri said.
"I am proud to work with people who are so caring and rise to the occasion when times are hard."
She said one of her favorite Bible verses is James 1: 2-3, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."
"God has big plans for this little town," Keri said.
Since Gov. Greg Abbott officially closed schools for the rest of the year, the district is focusing on the renovations of all three campuses. Still, Keri misses "seeing the kids at school and on the playground behind my office."
Her family husband Lonny, who is a financial adviser in Atlanta, 10-year old Maggee and 8-year old Nash - have managed to stay busy at their home in Bivins.
"There have been lots of board games played at my house and our yard looks better than it has in years." Keri said. "We are usually a family that is always on the go, but this has kept us home except when I am at work. My mother-in-law lives with us so she is able to stay home with the kids while I work."
In her spare time, Keri plays rhythm guitar and sings lead in a band called - Sparetime.
Her dad, Jerry Howard, plays lead guitar. The school's band director, Ron Williams, plays drums. Yolanda Winders, a teacher in Atlanta, plays bass. Until she lost her battle with cancer last year, Keri's younger sister, Kristi Lang, added harmonies and played bass.
"We have performed at many fundraisers in Shreveport, the Redbone in Texarkana, and the Franchise in Jefferson as well as many private parties," Keri said.
Still, in the greater scheme, she is mostly excited about the improvements being made in her schools.
"This district is on the track to become great," Keri said. "We have made strides this year in academics and are about to start renovations on all three campuses. Great things are coming!"