Dr. Shirley Richardson Neeley
Retired Superintendent of Schools

Professional Faculty - EdD in K-12 Educational Leadership
Dr. Shirley J. Neeley was named the Texas Commissioner of Education on January 12, 2004, by Governor Rick Perry. As Commissioner, she helmed the Texas Education Agency, which oversaw 1,037 school districts, approximately 200 charter schools, and 4.6 million children for 3 -1/2 years.
A former elementary school teacher, assistant principal, and principal, Dr. Neeley served as Superintendent of Galena Park Independent School District, Texas’ largest exemplary district, from 1995-2004. A product of Galena Park ISD, Dr. Neeley received her doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Houston.
Dr. Neeley has also served as the former Commissioner of Education at TEA, is the former president of the Texas Association of Suburban and Mid-Urban Schools, on the Board of the Harris County Youth Program, the Texas Academic Decathlon, and as chair of her local hospital Board of Directors. Dr. Neeley has also served as president of her local Rotary Club and on the Board of Directors of the North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Neeley is a life member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and was a HLSR Committee Member for twelve years.
Dr. Neeley was named Texas Association of School Boards’ Superintendent of the Year in 2003. She was inducted into the prestigious Texas Women’s Hall of Fame in October, 2006. Dr. Neeley retired on September 1, 2007, after 37 years in public education. GPISD named an elementary school in her honor in August, 2009: Dr. Shirley J. Williamson (maiden name) Elementary School. Other honors include: The Region IV Superintendent’s Recognition Award (2013), Texas Council Women School Executives Leadership and Legacy Honoree (2014), and The Jonathan Hardin Chapter NSDAR, Women in American History Honoree (2014).
Dr. Neeley served on the P-20 Steering Committee for Closing the Gaps, 2015-2030 which resulted in the 60X30TX Strategic Plan: 60% of Generation Texas will have a postsecondary credential or degree by 2030! She is currently an adjunct professor at Baylor University School of Education in the Doctoral Program for Superintendents.
Dr. Neeley and her husband, Bill Richardson, a retired school architect, are enjoying life to the fullest at their Turkey Creek Ranch in Groesbeck, Texas, raising Longhorn cattle. She enjoys riding her motorcycle, traveling, reading, cross stitching, and taking care of Bill.