He assumes his duties July 1, the same day Steven Saldivar officially becomes superintendent. Saldivar has held the assistant superintendent post for about a year.

Ferrell has family connections to Big Spring — his mother and two sisters live here — and he attended local schools in the 1970s while his father was stationed at Webb Air Force Base.

That connection to Big Spring, combined with Ferrell's past administrative experience, were major factors in the school board's decision.

“One of the things that impressed us the most ... is that he's been a principal and a superintendent and has a lot of administrative experience in a school district,” said Irene Galan, BSISD school board president. “We think he'll fit in well here, especially with him knowing the demographics of Big Spring.”

White Deer, a school district with about 400 students located northeast of Amarillo, did well in Texas Education Agency accountability rankings the past few years. The district received a “recognized” designation (the second-highest possible) from TEA two of the past three years.

After graduating from high school in 1975, Ferrell received his bachelor's degree from the University of New Mexico in 1980. He did post-graduate work at Howard Payne University and Angelo State University before receiving his superintendent's certification from West Texas A&M in 1994.

He began his education career in San Angelo as a physical education teacher and coach before moving to Paint Rock ISD in 1986 as principal of the K-12 campus.

Ferrell then moved to White Deer in 1992, starting as principal of the elementary/junior high before assuming the same post at the high school in 1995. He has been superintendent of the district since 2000.

Attempts to contact Ferrell this morning were unsuccessful.

Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331 ext. 234 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it