Abilene ISD Superintendent Dr. John Kuhn announced Wednesday that Tina Jones will transition into a new leadership role as the district’s director of transportation, effective Jan. 5, 2025.
Jones will take on this directorship following a distinguished 34-year career as a principal, instructional coordinator, and teacher in Abilene ISD. She adds a crucial campus leadership focus to enhancing the district’s transportation services.
“Tina was an easy choice for this role because of her expertise in managing a complex organization with grace,” Dr. Kuhn said. “Our transportation team is the first point of contact for AISD students every day, and Tina’s proven results in providing excellent customer service and student safety will be extremely beneficial to our work in that department. I look forward to continuing to support her in her success.”
Jones has served as the principal of Bowie Elementary School since 2008 and played a key role in redesigning the current campus in 2015. She first joined AISD in 1990 as a teacher at College Heights Elementary and later served as a teacher and instructional coordinator at Ortiz Elementary.
“I am honored to have been part of the Bowie community for the past sixteen and a half years,” said Jones. “I am proud of all that the students, families, and teachers have accomplished throughout this time. The Bowie family will always hold a special place in my heart. I am looking forward to serving all AISD students and families in my new position as Director of Transportation.”
Jones holds masters and bachelors degrees in education from Abilene Christian University and Hardin-Simmons University respectively. An Abilene native, she is also a graduate of Abilene High School and attended Franklin Junior High School and Valley View Elementary School. In 2016, she was named the Region 14 Elementary School Principal of the Year.
As part of this transition, Janaye Wideman will act as interim principal at Bowie Elementary while the district conducts a search for Bowie’s next leader. Wideman has prior experience as a campus leader and currently serves as the district’s director of assessment and accountability.