Bosque County School Leader Named Region 12 Superintendent of the Year

Morgan ISD Superintendent Dr. John C. Bullion has been named the 2026 Region 12 Superintendent of the Year and regional nominee for Texas Superintendent of the Year. Bullion was nominated by the Morgan ISD Board of Trustees and selected from a slate of candidates by a committee of Region 12 area school board members.

“Dr. John Bullion has demonstrated what is possible when strong leadership is paired with an unwavering belief in students and staff,” said Dr. Kenny Berry, Executive Director of Education Service Center Region 12. “His work at Morgan ISD has resulted in meaningful academic growth, expanded opportunities for students, and a culture that reflects pride, purpose, and high expectations. We are proud to recognize him as the Region 12 Superintendent of the Year.”

Bullion has served as superintendent of Morgan ISD since 2022 and as an educator for a total of 26 years. Before joining Morgan ISD, Bullion worked as a Special Education Liaison at ESC Region 12 and in various capacities at the Bosque County Educational Co-op, including as a teacher, counselor and director of special education. Alongside his work as an educator, Bullion served his community as a trustee on the Valley Mills ISD School Board from 2019 to 2025.

“It was my honor to nominate Dr. John C. Bullion for the 2026 Superintendent of the Year Award,” said Teresa Stacy, President of the Morgan ISD Board of Trustees. “In just three years, he has improved academic outcomes, strengthened staff and leadership systems, expanded opportunities for students and built a positive, supportive culture that is felt across the district and community.”

Morgan ISD has one campus and is home to 143 students in Bosque County. As superintendent of Morgan ISD, Bullion’s goal is to build a culture centered on high expectations and strong performance. Under Bullion’s leadership, the district’s accountability rating improved from an F in 2023 to a D in 2024 and then a C in 2025, displaying consistent growth over time. 

“I am humbled and honored to receive this recognition highlighting the accomplishments of our amazing students, staff, teachers, and administration,” Bullion said. “We understand that a high-quality education is the foundation upon which students build their futures, and our team has worked diligently to ensure that each student in Morgan ISD receives educational experiences that prepare them for the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Bullion’s strong leadership, clear vision and commitment to putting students at the center of every decision have transformed the district in meaningful and lasting ways. When he first joined Morgan ISD, Bullion guided the redevelopment of the district’s mission, vision and Pillars of Eagle Pride to better reflect the goals of the Morgan community. He then worked to develop an effective partnership with the board of trustees and build a strong administrative team, which has helped shape a positive school climate grounded in trust, accountability and shared purpose. 

With foundational improvements in place, Bullion then worked on intentional, sustainable changes to enhance teaching and learning. The district has partnered with ESC Region 12 to provide professional development and instructional coaching opportunities to educators. Morgan ISD was also selected to participate in the Texas Strategic Leadership Program, where Bullion was involved in creating a five-year strategic plan to improve student outcomes. Bullion also developed the district’s Teacher Incentive Allotment program, which has encouraged the recruitment and retention of highly effective teachers. 

Alongside professional development and strategic efforts, Bullion’s has worked to improve instruction by implementing high-quality instructional materials. The district adopted Bluebonnet Learning for reading and math, Savvas for history and science, and a new health curriculum, along with aligned resources for accelerated learning and high-impact tutoring. Due to Morgan ISD’s strong classroom instruction, clear instructional vision and innovative change management, the district was designated as a Bluebonnet Learning Beacon District. As a beacon district, Morgan ISD will receive a $100,000 grant award for both the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years.

In addition to instructional improvements, Bullion has worked to expand academic opportunities, which contributed to the Morgan ISD classes of 2025 and 2026 graduating with 100% College, Career, and Military Readiness. Since joining the district, Bullion has been involved in developing three partnerships that have given students access to dual credit classes and work-based learning experiences. Morgan ISD received a Texas Regional Pathways Network to establish the Bosque County Robotics Lab, a program that blends high school and college-level coursework to help students graduate with advanced standing toward a technical degree or certification. Morgan ISD was also selected to participate in the first cohort of Baylor University’s K-12 Cyber Security Pathways Program, which will give students opportunities to learn essential cybersecurity skills for immediate workforce entry or advanced education. Most recently, the Texas Education Agency approved the formation of the Bosque County College & Career Alliance, a Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership Program that will give Morgan ISD students access to a dual credit welding program through Hill College.

Morgan ISD’s improved student outcomes and academic growth led to a site visit from Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath in 2025. The district was selected for the visit from among the 77 school districts in the Region 12 service area. During the Commissioner’s visit, students showcased their learning and demonstrated what makes the district special. The visit served as a reminder to Morgan ISD students that their achievements are recognized across the state and that the opportunities available to them extend beyond the Morgan community. 

“Dr. Bullion has a passion for the students and the staff at Morgan ISD, and they are blessed to have someone who cares so deeply about the success of the school,” said Patrick Murphy, Deputy Executive Director of Leadership Services at ESC Region 12 and Field Service Agent to Morgan ISD.

Bullion earned his Doctorate of Education in Educational Administration and Leadership from Baylor University. He holds a Master of Education in Counseling and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Tarleton State University. Bullion has Special Education, School Counselor, Principal and Superintendent certifications and is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Supervisor. 

Bullion is involved in various professional organizations, including the Texas Association of School Administrators, Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education, Texas Counseling Association, Texas Association of School Boards, Texas Association of School Business Officials and the Texas Rural Education Association.

Bullion and his wife, Dr. Stacy R. Bullion, have been married for 25 years and have four children together: Emma, Mia, Aiden, and Addi May. 

ESC Region 12 will recognize Bullion and other regional educators of the year in the coming months. The regional superintendents of the year will interview with a state selection committee in August, and five finalists will be selected. The Texas Association of School Boards will announce the Texas Superintendent of the Year in September.