Visitors to the Brownwood ISD Central Administration Office have been greeted by Carol Spratt for the past 17 years. This week marks the closing of a chapter for Carol, as she will be finishing her career with BISD on Friday, January 28th. A reception for her will be on Wednesday, January 26th at 3:00pm at the Central Administration office, 2707 Southside Drive. All who know Carol are invited to attend.
Carol is retiring after 41 years of work, two with Southwestern Bell in Georgia, 22 with GTE in Brownwood, and 17 with the school district.
Ironically, it is Carol’s second time to retire from the offices of 2707 Southside Drive. “When I retired from GTE in 1993, I was working in this building,” said Carol. Dr. Sue Jones called Carol in 1994 to see if she was interested in working for the school district. “When she told me the pay, I told her that wouldn’t pay for my pantyhose!” laughed Carol.
Nonetheless, Carol began working for BISD in September of 1994, when Central Office was located on Avenue D. She worked there for one week, and then the offices moved to 2707 Southside Drive, the former GTE location. “So, most of my telephone and school district career has been right here,” said Carol.
Carol enjoyed working for the school district primarily “for the people.” “You meet so many different people, and that was what was so interesting,” she said.
And in return, “the people” enjoyed Carol. “Carol is in many regards the face of Brownwood ISD,” said Superintendent, Dr. Reece Blincoe. “She knows everyone in town and knows where everyone sits at the football stadium. When people would come in to buy their tickets, it was like a reunion. Carol knows football, too, and she could talk football all day!”
Kevin Gabaree, Deputy Superintendent has worked with Carol for eleven years. “Carol Spratt is everything that Brownwood ISD represents,” said Kevin. “Integrity, enthusiasm, compassion and class. She will be greatly missed by the District.”
Assistant Superintendent, Liesa Land describes Carol as “a classy lady inside and out.”
Carol’s plans for retirement are “to do whatever I want to!” she says.
She has always been involved in the community, and currently serves as President of UNITI, a member of the City Building and Standards Commission and is a Lay Leader at Emmanuel Chapel UMC, where she also serves as Secretary and Finance Officer. She has served on numerous local boards including the Hardin Museum, Juneteenth Celebration, Brown County Museum, Brownwood Manor, Small World Child Development Center, Good Samaritan, American Red Cross, Pecan Valley Arts Festival, and was a Girl Scouts Woman of Distinction in 2008.
Carol and her husband, OL, have five children and eleven grandchildren, including Graylon Brown, the Lion’s 2010 quarterback.
“The school district has come a long way since I started,” said Carol. “It’s a good school for the children, and Brownwood is a wonderful place to live.”
Photo Caption: Carol Spratt is retiring from BISD Central Office after 17 years. She is standing with one of her most treasured lions. It was given to her by several members of the community to thank her for her dedication to Brownwood.
