TASA’s Executive Superintendent program was designed to provide TASA members with access to an extensive and diverse cadre of experienced former superintendents with an array of combined expertise. Through the program, TASA members have access to a team of executive superintendents, each dedicated to serving administrators in their respective ESC regions. TASA’s executive superintendents serve as an extension of TASA staff and are on hand to support TASA members in a variety of ways, with an emphasis on helping new superintendents navigate the role. As seasoned administrators, these superintendents are able to listen and provide support based on their own experiences. Below we introduce you to the TASA Executive Superintendent for ESC Regions 16 and 17, Robert McLain.
TASA’s newest executive superintendent, Robert McLain, will retire from the superintendency in Plains ISD at the end of the 2024-25 school year, following 40 years of service in Texas public schools. McLain began his career as a teacher and coach in Phillips ISD, and also served as a coach in Happy ISD.
In 1996, he decided to go into administration and served as a principal and then superintendent in Channing ISD. After 11 years leading Channing, he moved to take the role in Plains ISD, and is now retiring after six years in the office.
McLain says his passion for education was sparked by two of his high school teachers in Amarillo ISD — coach James Kyle and English teacher Mary Ross. “They took an interest in me and made me feel comfortable with education,” McLain says.
Looking ahead to his retirement, McLain has known he wanted to stay active in school business and give back to the field he loves. He was inspired watching Larry Coffman, who served as a TASA executive superintendent until his passing in the summer of 2024.
“I wanted to give back to the profession that I feel has been good to me,” McLain says. “I felt like being an executive superintendent is a good way to do that.” In his role as executive superintendent, McLain sees himself as a mentor, ready to lend an ear to any administrator who needs advice, or just needs to vent. “I’ve gotten to the stage in my career where I want to see other people grow and I want them to be successful,” he says. “And if I’m helping a superintendent, then I’m helping the kids in those schools.”
McLain also points to several other TASA leaders as his own mentors, including John Horn, Rod Schroder and Johnny Veselka. By dedicating themselves to mentoring superintendents, including McLain, they inspired him to want to do the same in his own retirement.
“I really want to give back to TASA and help the organization continue to grow,” he says. Public education is a passion in the McLain household; McLain’s wife Connie was an educator for 30 years before retiring, and he cites her support as one of the main factors that has kept him going in his professional life.
As an executive superintendent, McLain is ready to use the knowledge he’s gathered in his 18-plus years of district leadership to help others who are new to the field. “I love the energy young superintendents have,” he says. “And if I can help anybody along the way, then I’m just happy to do it.”
Find contact information for all the TASA executive superintendents.
