Winnsboro ISD hires second interim superintendent amid coverup scandal

WINNSBORO, Texas (KLTV) - The Winnsboro ISD Board of Education voted Saturday to approve the hiring of a new interim superintendent following the arrests of several district employees.

Board members approved the hiring of Jeff Conovan, who brings more than two decades in general and special education and 12 years of coaching experience to the district.

Cody Holloway, who has acted as interim superintendent since the arrest of Superintendent Aaron David Nation amid the district’s ongoing scandal, will return to his role as Winnsboro High School principal.

“I’m a failed retired superintendent,” Conovan said Saturday. “I need something to do, and the interim positions have blessed me with that.”

Board President Brandon Green said his hiring came easy.

“That wasn’t even a tough choice, we weren’t going to hire from within,” Green said Saturday. “Hiring Jeff from outside, his experience with training superintendent’s, working in several different districts and really holding every position in education as he moved up the ladder.”

The hiring comes in the wake of several district employees arrested and charged with multiple felonies after claims of ignored sexual abuse in Winnsboro ISD.

Following the hiring, Green said the district is still under contract with its two former superintendents Nation and Brian David Wilcox, who are no longer with the district following their multiple arrests.

“Mr. Wilcox had a four-year contract,” Green said Saturday. “He was not paid out that full four-year contract. It was a separation agreement with him also being named superintendent emeritus while he is being paid.”

Wilcox and Nation were arrested for a second time Thursday by the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office for their accused roles in covering up abuse within the district.

District spokesperson Adriana Weems said Nation asked to be placed on a paid administrative leave following his first arrest.

“We hear you and I hope our community will understand, these board members want the best for our children and for our staff. Sometimes we aren’t able to give as much info as we would like and there are legal reasons for that.”

Related:

Former, current Winnsboro ISD superintendents arrested on new charges

Winnsboro ISD still looking at candidates for interim superintendent

Winnsboro ISD School Board places superintendent on paid administrative leave following arrest

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