HCISD Board approves two key personnel decisions

Staff Reports

Hays CISD Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright announced Monday that David Pierce, current principal at Hays High School, has been promoted to one of the district’s deputy academic officer positions. And, Lance Moffett, from Fredericksburg ISD, has been named the new Hays CISD athletics director. At its meeting on Monday, the Hays CISD Board of Trustees approved the hiring decisions. Each candidate has about three decades of experience in education, both in the classroom and in leadership positions.

“These positions are important to the district in terms of meeting our community’s expectations of providing the best opportunities and experiences for our students,” said Dr. Eric Wright, superintendent of schools. “And, both people who will be filling these positions have the experience and skills necessary to deliver upon our commitment to excellence in Hays CISD.”

David Pierce

David Pierce began his career in education in 1995, as a special education and world history teacher in Austin ISD. Between 2000 and 2005, he served as a high school assistant principal in Austin and Mount Vernon ISDs. He was hired as the principal for Mount Vernon High School in 2005. In 2009, he moved back to central Texas and to Hays CISD as the Hays High School principal. He has served in that role the past 13 years.

Pierce was named the Hays CISD Principal of Year in 2020, and has twice been named a state-level principal finalist for the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards (2013 and 2019).

“I appreciate and value the relationships, the learning and the growth I have experienced as principal of Hays High School,” said Pierce. “We have a proud past and an even brighter future in Hays CISD. I am confident we have the right ingredients to make Hays CISD the destination place for new families coming to Central Texas so that they can experience what I experienced for my own children in Hays CISD – a great education from dedicated people.”

Pierce holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Education from Southwest Texas State University.

In his role as a deputy academic officer, Pierce will oversee the academic and operational leadership of about a quarter of the district’s 26 campuses, as well as other key Curriculum and Instruction programs. He will finish the school year as Hays High School principal and take over the new position this summer when the current deputy academy officer, Sami Kinsey, retires. Kinsey has a remarkable career record of service to the children of Texas, spanning several decades. Hays CISD congratulates her on her retirement.

Lance Moffett

Lance Moffett began his career in education in 1992 as an assistant coach and a social studies and physical education teacher in Katy ISD. He spent most of his career in the 1990s and early 2000s in Conroe ISD; where in 2004, he earned his first head football coach and athletic coordinator position. From 2006 to present, he served in athletics leadership rolls in Leander, Round Rock and Fredericksburg ISDs.

During the years, Moffett has led his students to a variety of championships, playoff runs, and undefeated seasons in a variety of sports including football, basketball, and tennis. In 2013, he was named the District 27-3A Football Coach of the Year. Most notably, his programs through the years have often made the playoffs in every sport and finished in the top 10 in the prestigious UIL Lone Star Cup, including a 4^thplace finish for the 2014-15 school year and a 5th place finish in 2017-2018.

“A strong work ethic and love of, not just athletics, but also, the entire educational process and its relationship with extracurricular activities are cornerstones of my philosophy and practice,” said Moffett. “Further, my willingness to adapt to meet the needs of today’s student athletes will serve Hays CISD well. I will strive to give each individual student athlete an opportunity to compete at the highest level possible and accept his or her role while preparing each student athlete to excel in their faith, family, community, academics, and athletics.”

Moffett holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science from Southwest Texas State University and a Master of Education in School Administration from Sam Houston State University.

He will replace Hays CISD’s previous athletic director who accepted a position with a different school district.