Sabine ISD Superintendent Stacey Bryce is seen in May during the Sabine High School graduation. (Lucas Strough/Kilgore News Herald File Photo)

Sabine ISD has announced the retirement of longtime Superintendent Stacey Bryce. Assistant Superintendent and former Sabine High School Principal Monty Pepper will step into the role, the district said.

Bryce was superintendent for the past 20 years and had more than 40 years in education.

“Mr. Bryce’s accomplishments within our district are too vast to list! His heart for Sabine ISD, the dedication shown, the vision and commitment to succeed has been the driving force of our district’s success,” the district said in a statement. “He has set a high standard of excellence, and we are forever grateful for the impact he has made on our district.”

Sabine ISD accumulated numerous honors and achievements during Bryce’s tenure. In May, Sabine students earned a first-place finish in the 3A University Interscholastic League State Academic Championship for the third year in a row. Also in May, Sabine Middle School was named a “Texas School To Watch” by The National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform and the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals.

Pepper was named the new superintendent effective July 8. He was assistant superintendent for the past three years and had served as Sabine High School principal and assistant principal in addition to working as a teacher at SHS.

Pepper has served in the education field for 27 years. He completed his superintendent certification in December 2022 at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. He also completed his master’s degree in education at SFA and earned a bachelor’s of science degree in education at East Texas Baptist University.

Two of Pepper’s children, Holton and Hudson, have graduated from Sabine ISD, and his daughter, Hailey, will be a freshman at Sabine High School in the fall. His wife, Derenda, is a teacher at Sabine Middle School.

“We are thankful for the Pepper family, their dedication to our district and the continued leadership as Mr. Pepper as superintendent,” the district said in a statement.