Conroe ISD board of trustees announced on April 17 Dr. Curtis Null as the district’s new superintendent.

Dr. Don Stockton announced his retirement in August after 15 years as superintendent. Null, who first came to Conroe ISD in 2000, is currently the deputy superintendent. He applied along with 25 applicants for the position, according to Communications Director Sarah Blakelock.

Null keeps hearing the phrase “big shoes to fill” because of Stockdon’s legacy.

“I’m embracing that,” Null said. “It’s not something that I’m afraid of or running away from. I think it’s an honor to follow such a great person.”

The phrase applies to his personal life as well. His father, Michael Null, was a former administrator and executive director of human resources. In fact, there’s a middle school named after him located in Sheldon ISD.

“I not only have Dr. Stockton’s shoes to fill, but even in my own family is to fill my dad’s shoes and to live up to his legacy is hard to do as well,” Null said. “I’m sorta used to that, having that pressure.”

Null has been in many different leadership positions around the school district. He said it helps if you want to try to lead a whole organization and good to see a lot of the pieces along the way so that you can understand the process.

“All schools are different,” Null said. “When you get that chance to work with a lot of different people, it changes the way you kinda see things. You can kinda help everybody that way.”

Null has 16 years of experience in education at Conroe ISD. He has worked in schools such as Woodlands High School, Knox Junior High, Magnolia Junior High, Peet Junior High and in Conroe High School, where he hired Dr. Jeff Stichler to be his associate principal and created the ninth grade campus.

Null said when he hears Caney Creek students talk about Stichler, he feels proud because he hired him into some positions.

“I feel invested in Dr.Stichler,” he said. “When everybody talks about the great job he does it makes me proud.”

After being principal at Conroe High, he moved to the administration building. Became the assistant superintendent for secondary education for two years. Afterwards, he became the deputy superintendent where he currently works today.

Conroe ISD has approximately 61,000 students and 7,200 employees. Null said this is an opportunity to continue the legacy of Stockton and serve.

“For me it’s like, Wow, I think I can do a lot of good for people and hopefully make lives better,” Null said. “Not just for our students but for our teachers, and that was my goal. This is a great position to be able to do that.”

Null will officially assume his duties as superintendent on June 4.