ESD Names Third Head of School
The Episcopal School of Dallas board of directors voted unanimously today to appoint David L. Baad as its third head of school.
He will replace Meredyth Cole, who announced her resignation in November.
“We could not be more excited for our community to move into the future with David Baad at the helm, said Don Carty, chair of the board of directors and co-chair of the search committee.
“(Baad) undoubtedly embodies the important qualities conveyed to us through the community-wide survey, thoughtful conversations, and our Faculty and Staff advisory council. Dave understands and values our mission of providing our children with a faith-based education that will prepare them for lives of intellectual discovery, integrity, and purpose.”
Baad currently serves as the associate head of school for the St. Albans School in Washington D.C., one of the nation’s oldest and most respected Episcopal schools.
In his 28-year tenure at St. Albans, he served as a teacher, coach, director of athletics and auxiliary programs, and associate head of school.
“I am deeply honored to be entrusted as the next leader of this great school,” he said in a news release. “I am also grateful for the foundation that has been laid by my predecessors.”
Baad further complimented Cole’s leadership, saying it helped solidify ESD’s strong reputation in the national independent school landscape.
“It is upon this remarkable foundation we will build,” he continued. “I resolutely believe that Episcopal schools like ours must wrap all that we do in the moral framework that a faith-based school provides. My goals are to help shape students’ lives and to sustain an atmosphere in which teachers can create and excel.”
In consultation with the nationally prominent search firm Carney, Sandoe, and Associates, ESD’s Head of School search committee was led by co-chairs Carty and Laura Boeckman. The committee was comprised of 10 members, current or emeriti board members who are also ESD parents, alumni, or grandparents.
Baad quickly distinguished himself as an exceptional candidate, which brought six outstanding educators to Dallas from around the country, officials said.
“ESD has always believed that a students’ long-term success must be grounded in educating the whole child – it was important to the Search Committee to identify an exceptional leader who believes with rigor and excellence, there should be joy and purpose,” Boeckman said. “Dave represents the very best of an Episcopal school education – the belief that personal formation comes through moral, spiritual, intellectual, creative, physical, and social development.”
Baad earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Rollins College, where he was a member of the prestigious Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, and played varsity baseball. He received his masters in organizational leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Cole, who has served as ESD’s Head of School since July 2013 is relocating to Atlanta, Georgia, this summer. She was named the Lovett School’s 13th Head of School in November 2017.
