BISD Board Approved New Athletic Director 

At a special meeting called on Tuesday, May 17, the Board of Trustees approved the hiring of Barry Norton to the position of director of athletics for Birdville ISD. He is replacing Chris Feris who has taken a similar position in Conroe ISD. 

Norton has been the athletic director and head football coach at Texarkana Arkansas School District since 2017. Before Texarkana, Norton was executive director of athletics and head football coach at Texarkana ISD from 1999–2017, offensive coordinator at West Orange-Cove CISD from 1995–99, offensive coordinator at Lufkin ISD from 1994–95, and worked in other coaching positions from 1990–94. 

He has many achievements as a coach, including: 

• District Coach of the Year (13 times) 
• Texas Division 1-4A football state championship in 2002 
• Texas Sports Writers Association 4A Coach of the Year in 2002 
• NIKE Coach of the Year in 2002 
• Arkansas 5A track state championship in 2017 and 2021 
• Texas 5A track state champion in 2014 
• Texas 5A baseball state championship in 2008 
• Texas 4A swimming state champion in 2003 
• Arkansas state bowling championship in 2002 

Norton received his bachelor’s degree from East Texas State University. 
 

BISD Announces New Principal 

At a special meeting on Tuesday, May 17, Birdville ISD’s Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Carrie Welborn as principal of Foster Village Elementary. She is replacing Sherri Gamble, who was named principal of North Richland Middle School.  

Welborn has been an assistant principal at Stowe Elementary since 2019. She also was a second- and third-grade teacher at Porter Elementary from
2014–19, and a first-, second- and fourth-grade teacher at Caprock and Independence elementary schools in Keller ISD from 2006–14. 

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas Woman’s University and master’s degree from The University of Texas at Arlington. 

BISD Superintendent Announces
Director of Child Nutrition 

BISD Superintendent Dr. Gayle Stinson announced on Tuesday, May 17 the administrative appointment of Michell Risenhoover, M.S., R.D. as director of child nutrition. She is replacing Judy Sargent, who is retiring after 40 years of service to the Birdville family.  

Risenhoover has been the assistant director of Child Nutrition for BISD since 2004.