ROISD Board approves Name of Sixth Elementary for Legendary Educator - Shirley Ann (Bisor) Jones

April 1, 2026 

Contact:  Beth Trimble, Chief Communications Officer 
972-617-2941   beth.trimble@redoakisd.org 

(RED OAK, TX) — The Red Oak Independent School District Board of Trustees has approved the naming of the district’s sixth elementary school in honor of Red Oak High School alumna and longtime educator Shirley Ann (Bisor) Jones. The future campus, currently under construction off Harmony Way east of Uhl Road, will open as Shirley B. Jones Elementary School in fall 2027. 

“The nominee we are bringing to you for consideration is outstanding and worthy, and I do not believe anyone could question the contributions this individual has given to Red Oak ISD,” Naming Review Team presenter Ashley Jackson told the Board. “It is a great thing when you have so many nominations from a community. It speaks volumes of the passion and dedication of many individuals who have touched the lives of so many Hawks.” 

Shirley Jones’ legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of Red Oak ISD. Her family was among the first African American families to move to Red Oak, and she was one of the district’s early Black students. At Red Oak High School, she was active in FHA, the Acorn newspaper staff, and the Hawk yearbook staff, served as a basketball manager, and was named Best Personality her senior year. She graduated in 1970 in a class of just 21 students. 

Jones earned her Associate Degree from Cedar Valley College and later her Bachelor’s Degree in English and Elementary Education from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1982. Upon receiving her Texas Education Agency certification, she returned home to Red Oak ISD, where she taught for 42 years—three years at Red Oak Elementary and 39 years at Wooden Elementary—retiring in 2025. 

Throughout her career, Jones primarily served in Prekindergarten, then referred to as Pre-First Grade, where she was known for her expertise in early childhood education. She completed extensive professional development, including TEA Summer Institutes, curriculum writing and development courses, multisensory teaching workshops, behavior assessment training, and primary gifted symposiums. She was instrumental in creating guidelines, writing curriculum, and implementing Red Oak ISD’s pre-first-grade program. 

Beginning her teaching career with a starting salary of approximately $15,000 per year, Jones consistently went above and beyond for the district. She served as a department chair, was selected to serve on the State Textbook Committee, and pursued additional coursework at East Texas State University to further strengthen her instructional practices. At retirement, she held certifications in Elementary Self-Contained, Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, and English as a Second Language. 

Her impact is generational. Jones taught not only thousands of students, but also the children and grandchildren of her early students from the 1980s. She balanced her professional dedication while raising three children with her husband, Tommy, and has continued to lead an active life in retirement, currently operating Jams, Jellies, and More, a popular vendor that frequently sells out at the Waxahachie Farmers Market. 

Community members described Jones’ influence as transformational. 

“She demonstrated all of the characteristics of a hawk—showing grit, expressing continual appreciation for others, and leaving behind a legacy of service,” one nomination read. “Her influence extends far beyond the classroom, shaping the culture and spirit of Red Oak ISD in meaningful and enduring ways.” 

Another nominator wrote,  

“As one of the first Black students in Red Oak and later a respected educator, she became a living symbol of progress and resilience.” 

Additional nominations reflected on her immeasurable heart for students:  

“Shirley Jones gave, gave, and gave all of the love and light in her to everyone she interacted with. She understood her purpose, and she lived it out.” 

Nominations for the campus naming were accepted from February 25 through March 6, 2026, and were submitted by community members, parents, staff, students, and alumni. A Naming Review Team, appointed by Superintendent Brenda Sanford, reviewed and vetted all nominations in accordance with Board Policy CW (LOCAL). The Board of Trustees approved the naming of Shirley B. Jones Elementary School during the regularly scheduled School Board Meeting on March 30, 2026. 

The District announced Allyson Bell, current principal at Shields Elementary, has been selected as the campus’s first principal. She will begin this July and be integral in the construction process, rezoning, and hiring. The District is planning a groundbreaking on Tuesday, April 21, at 5:30 p.m. The campus is scheduled to open in fall 2027.  

Click here to view the full Red Oak ISD Press Release!

Construction updates and photos are available at https://roisdbond.com/.