(Seguin) — The naming of a lone finalist for the Seguin ISD has unfolded yet into another tale – a tale of two Jack Lees. That’s because Dr. Jack Lee, an experienced educator from Tyler, Texas will soon lead the district where his name already adorns the front of the district’s professional learning center — adjacent to the Seguin ISD Administration Building at Oak Park Mall. The Jack Lee Administration Building, was renamed last year in April in honor of another Jack Lee who was a legendary former Seguin ISD teacher and who passed away in 2022.
While the two Jack Lees are not related, trustees and soon — community members alike will be marveling at the rare and heartfelt coincidence.
In fact, after being named the lone finalist, Dr. Lee couldn’t help but acknowledge the uniqueness of it all — especially after a moment shared with his own family.
“It’s always fascinating when you show up at a board meeting and you know that everyone is waiting to see who you are. and you instantly know that the eyes are going to be on you. And especially when you pull up in your son says dad, that building has your name on it. And I have to say, Jackson, that’s not this Jack Lee, that’s a different Jack Lee,” chuckled the lone finalist.
While they didn’t plan for it, District 6 Trustee Lisa Burns agrees that it certainly caught their attention. Nonetheless, she’s excited about what this Jack Lee will bring to the table.
“What I just wanted to say is the very first words that we heard out of Dr. Lee’s mouth were, ‘I am Jack Lee, and I am not that Jack Lee!’ And I will tell you, when he said it, he said it with humility and respect that he truly had done his research and understood how much Jack Lee meant to this community and that was that. And at that moment, I’m like, oh, I’m so excited about this. And then at the end of that first interview, Dr. LeeLeended us homework. He handed us an inch binder full of papers for us to review on his thoughts on running a district. And it was a phenomenal work product that he had done for us, and it included QR codes and Google Drive and links and videos and I was just blown away by the level of preparedness, and (I’m) just so excited about what this fall will look like,” said Burns.
District 7 Trustee Josh Bright says the legacy of the first Jack Lee is deeply rooted in Seguin ISD’s history. Now, the district, he says, is honored to be welcoming another Jack Lee – a Jack Lee he believes will bring his own legacy of educational leadership to the district.
“I know the impact that was left by that gentleman in this community who we named that building after. I believe wholeheartedly that this Dr. Jack Lee is going to leave that same impact on the community while he’s here. So, I’m really excited about him being our lone finalist and I can’t wait to see what he can do,” said Bright.
Also, welcoming Dr. Lee was Board Vice President Linda Duncan. Duncan who represents District 4 says this twist of fate and moment of honor; makes it even more meaningful for her to share with him what Matador pride is all about.
“I just like to say, Dr. Jack Lee, I think you knew this about me when we first met — that I’m a dedicated Matador fan, and it means something to me to say to you, ‘Welcome to Matador Nation!’ I cannot wait to teach you the fight song,” said Duncan.
The Seguin ISD unanimously named Dr. Lee as its lone finalist for superintendent during Tuesday night’s regular meeting. The board is expected to wait for the state mandated 21-days until it can finalize his hiring during a special meeting on July 10.