The Lindale Independent School District is pleased to announce that current Lindale Junior High principal, Jeremy Chilek, has been hired as the new principal of Lindale High School. Chilek is ​currently in his fifth year as the principal of Lindale Junior High. He began his career as a teacher and coach at Lindale Junior High in 2002. He served in that role from 2002-2004. He then accepted a position at Lindale High School as a teacher and coach until 2007.

“​I am honored and excited to be named the next principal at Lindale High School,” said Chilek. “I appreciate our school board and administration for entrusting me with this tremendous responsibility. As a graduate of LHS, and former teacher and coach, I am keenly aware of the outstanding reputation Lindale High School has earned throughout our great state. This is one of the premier high school campuses in Texas and we will work to build on that status moving forward.”

Chilek has been at Lindale ISD for a total of 13 years. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Texas at Tyler.

“​Mr. Chilek has been a wonderful principal at Lindale Junior High,” said Stan Surratt, Superintendent at Lindale ISD. “I am very confident that he will be the next successful principal for Lindale High School. LHS has had many wonderful leaders and Mr. Chilek has all of the skills and experience to be the next one. Mrs. Valerie Payne has been an outstanding leader for LHS for the past three years and we can’t thank her enough for her great leadership.”

Under Payne’s leadership, LHS has won back-to-back UIL Academics State Championships. She will soon be inducted into the Hall of Fame for her outstanding service.