Bearcat Leadership Team

Aledo Independent School District has made several summer hires to its Bearcat Leadership Team, replacing retired employees and other vacated positions going into the 2025-2026 school year.

“We are grateful that this team of incredible educators and people to be joining our district and Bearcat Leadership Team,” Superintendent Dr. Susan Bohn said. “They bring a willingness to be all in for our Bearcats and a desire to continue to grow greatness in our district and community. I hope our community will help me welcome them to their new roles.”

Caleb Bell

Caleb Bell, Chief Facilities and Construction Officer

Caleb Bell has been named the Chief Facilities and Construction Officer, and he will begin in Aledo ISD on July 7. Bell has been an employee in Gunter ISD for the last six years, most recently as the Chief Operations Officer. Prior to that, he worked as the Executive Director of Administrative and Student Services, Executive Director of Operations and Student Services, Director of Transportation and Safety, and Interim Principal at Gunter Middle School.

Bell was also an assistant principal at Creekview Middle School in Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD and at Moody Elementary in Moody ISD. He has also been a teacher and coach in Arlington ISD, Aubrey ISD, and Hugo Public Schools.

“We are excited to have Mr. Bell and his vast experience and knowledge joining our maintenance and facilities department as well as our leadership team in Aledo ISD,” Bohn said. “He brings a whatever-it-takes attitude to Aledo, which is exactly what we need in a fast-growth district.”

Bell has a bachelor’s from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and a master’s from Lamar University. His school certifications include Superintendent, Principal, Special Education, Speech and Health/PE — all for Early Childhood through 12th grade, as well as grades 4-8 Generalist. In his role at Gunter ISD, he has successfully led bond planning, bond sales and construction, land purchases for future schools, and maintenance of a conservative operational budget.

“I am honored to be joining the Bearcat community and such a wonderful district as Aledo ISD,” Bell said. “From afar, Aledo ISD has always seemed like a fantastic place to work and raise children, and as I’ve gone through this process, I’ve seen and learned that it’s even better than I thought. I cannot wait to help continue the goal of growing greatness throughout the district with the facilities department.”

Lynn McKinney

Gregg Ellman

Lynn McKinney, Interim Executive Director of Special Programs

Former Aledo ISD Deputy Superintendent and AISD campus namesake Lynn McKinney will serve as the district’s interim executive director of special programs with assistant superintendent of student and community programs Dr. Ingia Saxton away caring for an ill family member and special programs director Dr. Margaret Bloodworth announcing her resignation.

McKinney will supervise special education, Dyslexia, Section 504, and transition services while others of Dr. Saxton’s duties will be spread among multiple leadership team members.

McKinney served 37 of her 44 years as an educator in Aledo serving in multiple positions, from teacher to principal of Aledo High School, assistant superintendent of special programs (that included special education and Section 504), and finally deputy superintendent when she retired from the district in 2023.

“I am honored that Aledo ISD would ask me to step in and fill this important role with the absence of Dr. Saxton and Dr. Bloodworth,” McKinney said. “I dearly love the students, staff, and community in Aledo ISD and will do whatever it takes to ensure continued success for its special programs community. I look forward to meeting our families and working together with the staff to grow greatness in Aledo ISD special programs.”

Phil Jennings

Phil Jennings, Director of Transportation

Phil Jennings has been named the director of transportation for Aledo ISD. Jennings was previously the director of transportation at Millsap ISD for the last two years. At Millsap ISD, Jennings oversaw all district transportation operations, including managing fleet maintenance, routing, budget, hiring, and training. He also implemented all safety procedures and ensured compliance with all state and federal regulations.

Prior to Millsap, Jennings was a bus driver and safety team member in Weatherford ISD for six years. While at Weatherford ISD, Mr. Jennings drove bus routes and assisted in safety training initiatives. He has a Texas Commercial Driver License (CDL), a Texas School Bus Driver Safety Training Certificate as well as a Texas Association for Public Transportation Certifications.

Jennings worked in the private sector prior to 2016 when he started working in the transportation department at WISD. He has an associate’s degree from Weatherford College and also attended Abilene Christian University.

“I am really looking forward to being part of the Aledo family and continuing to build on the strong tradition and culture,” Jennings said.

Matthew Simmons

Matthew Simmons, Aledo ISD Science Coordinator

Matthew Simmons has been named the district’s Science Coordinator after spending the last 16 years in Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD as a science teacher and science department lead at Central Junior High. Prior to that, he was a seventh- and eighth-grade science teacher at Calhoun Middle School in Denton ISD. He also taught science  in Birdville ISD at Shannon Center Alternative High School and at Haltom High School.

“I’m beyond excited to join the amazing team at Aledo ISD as the Science Coordinator,” Simmons said. “From the start, it’s been clear that Aledo is a place where excellence is both expected and supported — and I’m honored to help continue that tradition. I’m passionate about bringing science to life through meaningful, hands-on learning and supporting teachers in creating classrooms where curiosity leads the way. Whether it’s collaborating on instructional strategies, digging into data, or troubleshooting a lab gone slightly sideways, I’m here for it all. I look forward to working alongside this dedicated community as we continue #GrowingGreatness — one beaker, brainstorm, and breakthrough at a time.”

Simmons has a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry with a minor in physics and also an education certification from Texas Woman’s University.

Leticia Esparza

Leticia Esparza, Aledo High School Assistant Principal

Leticia Esparza has been named an assistant principal at Aledo High School after spending the last four years as an assistant principal at South Hills High School in Fort Worth ISD. Prior to that, she was a post secondary success specialist at Polytechnic High School and a math teacher at Benbrook Middle-High School. Esparza has also taught math at Lake Country Christian School and White Settlement, Katy, Lamar Consolidated, and Royal ISDs.

“I’m honored to join the incredible team at Aledo High School and excited to serve a community with such a strong tradition of excellence,” Esparza said. “I look forward to supporting our students, staff, and families as we continue to grow and achieve together.”

Esparza has a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Houston-Victoria.

Jared Laginess

Jared Laginess, Aledo High School Assistant Principal

Jared Laginess has been named an assistant principal at Aledo High School after spending the last three years as the head principal at the International Leadership of Texas Keller K8 campus. Prior to that, he worked at various other International Leadership of Texas campuses as an assistant principal, instructional coach, reading specialist, and reading language arts teacher. He has also taught English at Dallas Skyline High School.

“I am very excited to join Aledo ISD because of its strong tradition of high achievement and the close-knit sense of community that makes it such a special place to learn and grow,” Laginess said. “I am eager to bring my experience and passion for education to Aledo.”

Laginess has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas and a master’s from Colorado State University.

Ashlee Hammond

Gregg Ellman

Ashlee Hammond, Aledo Middle School Assistant Principal

Ashlee Hammond has been named as an assistant principal at Aledo Middle School after spending the last six years as the assistant principal at Walsh Elementary. Prior to her role at Walsh, Hammond taught second grade at Stuard Elementary for three years. She has also taught fourth and fifth grade in Kennedale ISD and Frisco ISD, respectively.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the time I’ve spent at the elementary level, where I’ve built meaningful relationships and grown as an educator and leader,” Hammond said. “As I step into this new role at the middle school, I’m excited for the opportunity to support students during a pivotal stage in their development, to continue learning, and to contribute to a new school community in a fresh and impactful way — all while still serving the amazing families and staff of Aledo ISD.”

Hammond has a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and a master’s from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Liz Shifflett

Liz Shifflett, Aledo Middle School Assistant Principal

Liz Shifflett has been named an assistant principal at Aledo Middle School after the last six years as a sixth-grade math teacher at the former McAnally Intermediate School and Aledo Middle School. Prior to that, Shifflett was a campus instructional specialist, math lead, and sixth grade teacher at Charles Patterson Middle School in Killeen ISD. She also taught fourth grade at Willow Springs Elementary in Killeen ISD.

“I am deeply honored to continue serving the Aledo Middle School community, now in the role of Assistant Principal,” Shifflett said. “Throughout my 14 years in education — including the last six within Aledo ISD — I have had the privilege of working alongside outstanding educators and leaders. I look forward to partnering with our dedicated staff and supportive parents to create exceptional experiences and opportunities for all of our students.”

Shifflett has a bachelor’s degree from Tarleton State University and a master’s from Texas A&M-Central Texas.

Brian Lane

Brian Lane has been named the assistant principal at Walsh Elementary after spending the last three years as an assistant principal at Liberty Elementary in White Settlement ISD. Prior to that, Lane was a counselor at Tarver-Rendon Elementary in Mansfield ISD and a fifth-grade science and math teacher at Mary Harris Intermediate in Crowley ISD.

“Joining the Aledo ISD family is a true honor, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the incredible team at Walsh Elementary,” Lane said. “I can’t wait to meet the students, families, and staff of Walsh and to contribute to the continued excellence that makes this community so special.”

Lane has an associate’s degree from McLennan Community College, a bachelor’s degree from Dallas Baptist University and a master’s from Tarleton State University.