Katy Superintendent Named New Legislative Council Chair
By Jeanne Acton, UIL Journalism Director | Monday, December 05, 2011 8:57 AM
At the October Legislative Council meeting, the council thanked and congratulated Mesquite Superintendent Linda Henrie for her service as the 2010-2011 Council Chair.
Photo by Jeanne Acton
At the October 2011 Legislative Council Meeting, Alton Frailey, the superintendent at Katy ISD who served as first vice chair in 2011, was elected as the new chair.
UIL Executive Director Charles Breithaupt said Frailey is a “tremendous leader and innovative thinker.”
“He is a huge supporter of the UIL,” he said. “I am looking forward to working with him.”
Frailey will replace Dr. Linda Henrie, the superintendent from Mesquite ISD.
Frailey has a long history with the UIL from participating in contests to hosting regional competitions. That relationship started when he was in high school at Central Heights High, a small class B school. During his four years there, he participated in UIL events, both academic and athletic.
Those early years with the League embedded into his philosophy the importance of fair play.
“I remember our senior year,” he said. “We lost three senior starters on the basketball team for the first seven games because they didn’t pass. We lost those games.”
Frailey said that was before No-Pass, No-Play House Bill 72.
“But it was important, even back then, that everyone had to remain academically eligible,” he said. “It was the only reason so many did any school work. UIL made them, at least during their season, pay attention and do their work. That was a great thing.”
When he became school district administrator in the 1990s, Frailey rekindled his relationship with UIL, serving both on the UIL State Executive Committee and the Legislative Council.
Frailey served his first stint on the Council from 2000 to 2003 and was on the State Executive Committee from 2006 to 2008. He rejoined the Council in 2008.
He said it’s been an honor to serve on both, and he is looking forward to his new leadership role.
“I respect the work of the UIL, and I respect what it stands for – the quality of service it gives,” he said.
Frailey said UIL is the reflection of the school districts and what the school leaders want.
“As Legislative Council, we do just that,” he said. “We must preserve the integrity of the UIL and fair play across the board.”
One of the biggest challenges for Frailey and the entire Council, he said, is ensuring that the Council gives due consideration to every issue and person that comes before it.
“All of us have very busy schedules so it’s a challenge,” he said. “But it’s important that we do make time for everyone.”
Because of state budget constraints, Frailey said the Council is not getting as many new requests for events and contests.
“People are sensitive to the budget crisis,” he said.
This slow-down in requests gives the Council the opportunity to ensure stability and stay on top of the study review of the UIL by the Legislature, Frailey said.
In October, House Speaker Joe Straus announced the 82nd Legislature interim committee charges for the Texas House of Representatives. The first charge for the Public Education Committee is to “conduct a review of the University Interscholastic League and make recommendations as needed.”
“We need to make certain our elected officials understand UIL and have a better informed perspective,” he said. “We must ensure that UIL is appropriately represented to elected officials.”
Frailey’s involvement over the past 20 years has helped him to know the staff, culture and what UIL is all about.
“I am a huge fan of the value UIL brings to competitive activities,” he said. “I am proud to serve.”
Frailey has been superintendent for Katy ISD since 2007. His prior experience includes superintendencies in both Desoto ISD, 2005-2007 and Cincinnati Public Schools, 2002-2005. In 2010, he was named Region 4 Superintendent of the Year.