Superintendent
Jeni Neatherlin
Neatherlin has been an educator for 23 years and has served as the superintendent of Granger ISD since 2021. She also served as the chief operations officer for Salado ISD, helping lead both districts with bonds and construction projects. Before that, she led Llano High School as principal, and has also worked in Midland ISD as the principal of Abell Junior High. Previous administrative roles include associate principal and assistant principal at Midland Lee. Neatherlin taught English at the secondary level for 10 years and also was a head coach prior to making the jump into administration. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Angelo State University and a master’s of educational administration from Lamar University.
As the district’s top educational leader, Neatherlin has a track record of high achievement. Granger ISD has improved literacy scores over 124 percent, increased CTE program offerings, and was named a 2022 U.S. News & World Report Best Middle School.
In her four years at Llano High School, they were on the U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools list three out of her four years there. She facilitated instruction that led to Advanced Placement Scores in 2020 that were more than 30 percent above state average and more than 20 percent above the global average, as well as SAT and ACT scores above the national and global averages. Her team implemented Career and Technical Education Programs for students to earn Workforce Readiness Certifications.
As principal at Abell Junior High, a feeder school for Midland Lee, she led improvement of school removal from Low Performing Schools (PEG) status in two years. Under Neatherlin’s leadership, Abell went from No. 37 in their TEA comparison group of 40 to No. 7 in just two years. Her campus saw growth of 31 points in the four domains for state accountability in 2016.
Neatherlin has worked in both big schools and small schools, and has led drastic academic turnarounds at all of her campuses and districts. She has passed school bonds, oversaw the construction of new schools, and leads with passion and love. She recently fought for Senate Bill 68, legislation that allows students to take Career Investigation Days, not just college days, which became law in 2023.
Her accolades include, most recently, as a Region 13 Superintendent of the Year nominee and being featured in TASA’s Inspiring Leader Spotlight. The Granger ISD School Board was a Top 3 Finalist for Board of the Year in 2023. She was honored with the 2021 Texas High School Coaches Association Article of the Year, 2020 Highland Lakes Locals Love Us Educator of the Year, 2019 HEB Excellence in Education Principal’s Award State Semi Finalist, a Former Life Changer of the Year Nominee, and an Honorary PTA Lifetime Member Award Recipient.
She speaks to leaders at all levels including First-Time Superintendents, Aspiring Superintendents, female executive leaders, administrators, and coaches, as she works with all educators on school systems that produce a positive school culture. She advocates for building bridges between extracurriculars and academics.