By Russell Slaton
russell@themonitor.net

MALAKOFF-Malakoff ISD has called a special meeting at 6 p.m. Aug. 31 to consider the resignation of the school district’s superintendent, Dr. Patrick “PJ” Winters, and to take possible action on naming an acting or interim superintendent., according to the agenda.
Dr. Winters was hired in spring 2025 as the school superintendent, elevated from within from an assistant superintendent position. Aug. 26, the school district released a letter titled “A Message to the Malakoff ISD Community: Transition and Moving Forward Together.”
Signed by MISD Board of Trustees President Keith Massingill, the letter (which the school district posted on social media) says: “Malakoff ISD family, we want to share an important update regarding our district's leadership. Our Superintendent, Dr. PJ Winters, has accepted a new professional position outside of our area and has submitted his resignation, effective Friday, September 4, 2026.”
Massingill said Dr. Winters “expressed deep gratitude for his four years here,” sharing a quote from the Malakoff superintendent, which states, "It has been a privilege to serve the Malakoff community... I wish the district, its staff, students, and community continued success."
On behalf of the district, Massingill thanked Dr. Winters for his dedication to MISD “and we wish him and his family the best in their future endeavors.”
Massingill also shared a note for parents, staff and students, saying he wants to “firmly reassure” them that the school district “remains strong, unified, and deeply stable. Change can bring questions, but our daily focus on your children will not waver. Our community and our staff are, and always will be, our district's absolute greatest asset.”
As for the Aug. 31 meeting, Massingill says in the letter that the school board is “already actively working on a smooth transition plan” and that the Aug. 31 special called business meeting will “finalize these next steps. We are entirely committed to keeping you informed every step of the way as we move forward together into a bright future.”