The life of a superintendent is a very busy one and among that “busyness” is working with the board of trustees.
Helping to keep that aspect of Pampa Independent School District, and more, is Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent Karen Linder.
Linder has been with Pampa ISD for 27 years after working in the parole division for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Huntsville for 12 years. Linder’s husband, Dean, worked for the prison system coming out of Sam Houston State University.
“He kept them (inmates) in and I let them out,” Linder joked.
A 1993 graduate of Pampa High School, Linder returned to Pampa in 1995.
“I wanted to be closer to family and we also took over our little family farm/ranch,” Linder said.
“I started off as a secretary at Wilson Elementary. When we consolidated from six elementary schools to four, I moved to the administration building (then Carver Center). I worked in curriculum for a little bit before moving to the superintendent’s office for 23 years.”
Counting the interims, Linder joked Hugh Piatt is the eighth superintendent he’s “training.”
“I prepare all of the Board packets and Board trainings with all of the directors,” Linder said. “I make sure that it’s posted properly and give them their packets. I attend the meetings and take the minutes. I coordinate all of their travel and budgets and coordinate special events like the Senior Breakfast, Hall of Fame, Honors Banquet, etc.”
Linder said her favorite part of the job is working with the students and alumni.
“I think it’s neat working with the alumni for the Hall of Fame but also the students with the student ambassadors and student council,” Linder said. “For the Hall of Fame, I think it’s neat to see those groups (students and alumni) work together. It’s really cool to see the students talking to the alumni.”
Linder and her husband have been married 39 years and have a ranch. Dean is retired from TDCJ and Hoover Volunteer Fire Department and has a firearms training program.
Linder enjoys spending time with her grandchildren. She has two children and four grandchildren.
For more information on Pampa ISD, call 806-669-4700.
