Mr. Ritchie Bowling began his career in education in 1997 with Sherman Independent School District, teaching sixth grade at Dillingham Intermediate School. After three years, he moved to Washington Elementary School, where he taught third grade and coordinated the after-school tutoring program. Funded through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Program, this initiative was expanded under Mr. Bowling’s leadership to serve multiple campuses and included a summer technology camp for low-income students.

Mr. Bowling entered school administration in the Lovejoy Independent School District, serving two years as an Assistant Principal before returning to Grayson County in 2005 to become Principal of Howe Elementary School. During his tenure, the campus regained its “Exemplary” status and earned multiple commendations from the Texas Education Agency. In 2010, he transitioned to Howe Middle School as Principal, where he continued to foster academic growth and strengthen the school’s culture of excellence.

In 2013, Mr. Bowling was selected as Assistant Superintendent for Howe ISD, a role he held for two years. His leadership supported curriculum and instruction, federal programs, testing, and several districtwide initiatives. Over his ten years in Howe ISD, he worked closely with the Student Health and Advisory Committee to continue an annual 5K run and Health Fair.

Mr. Bowling was named Superintendent of Maypearl Independent School District in 2015 and served in that role for ten and a half years. Before being selected to return to Howe ISD as Superintendent in December 2025, he led Maypearl ISD through significant advancements in transportation, technology, security, instructional practices, and program development. Under his leadership, the district passed a $35 million bond to replace half of the aging high school facility, construct an addition to the middle school, and convert a portion of the high school cafeteria into six new Career and Technical Education classrooms. He also reversed a deficit budget in 2015, increasing the district’s fund balance, secured more than $2 million in grant funding, and oversaw over $7 million in capital improvements from local funds in addition to the bond projects.

Mr. Bowling has been married to his wife, Cari, since 2011, after meeting while both were working in Howe ISD. Mrs. Bowling previously taught high school mathematics, and together they have three children.

903-745-4000
Email Ritchie Bowling

Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Federal Programs & District Testing Coordinator

Mrs. Clarissia Doty has served in her role since 2023, having served several administrative roles prior, most recently the principal of Summit Hill Elementary. She is responsible for Curriculum & Instruction, Federal Programs and is the District Testing Coordinator. Mrs. Doty provides leadership, service, and support to district staff, parents and the Howe community and helps to focus the educational environment, practices and programs of the district on student learning, helping to ensure that each student becomes a successful member of society. As District Testing Coordinator, Mrs. Doty coordinates the administration and processing of state and federally mandated assessments, provides training and support for site test coordinators and principals, and ensures that appropriate test administration and security procedures are followed at all testing sites. She also provides guidance on changes to the state assessment program and coordinates online testing.

903-745-4004
Email Clarissia Doty

Chief Financial Officer

Julie Snapp is a long-time resident of Howe and is a 1995 graduate of Howe High School. She worked in banking while attending college and immediately following college graduation, and joined Howe ISD in April 2002. She was named Howe ISD Business Manager in November 2006. In her current position, Mrs. Snapp oversees finances for the district including the evaluation of accounting procedures, systems and controls for all district departments and the recommendation of improvements in their design, implementation and maintenance, ensuring that business operations support the district’s goals and objectives. In addition, she assists the superintendent in preparation of the annual budget; organizes and conducts the annual financial audit; and serves as both an investment officer for the district as well as an election official for school board elections. Mrs. Snapp received her Bachelor of Business Administration from Dallas Baptist University in August 1999. She is also TASBO certified as a Registered Texas School Business Administrator (RTSBA). Mrs. Snapp and her husband are the proud parents of four children.

903-745-4000
Email Julie Snapp

Director of Operations

Bio Coming Soon!

903-745-4000
Email Ricky Brinlee

Chief of Police

Matt Whitworth grew up in Howe and is a 1990 graduate of Howe High School. Mr. Whitworth began his law enforcement career in 1999, graduating from the Edmundo Mireles Criminal Justice Training Academy in Beeville, Texas while serving as a Correctional Officer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. He went on to work in the private security field before attending the Texoma Regional Police Academy in 2002. Mr. Whitworth received the Woody Blanton Award for Excellence after graduating as the Valedictorian of his police academy class. His police career began with the Howe Police Department in 2005. Mr. Whitworth served with the Howe Police Department until 2012, achieving the rank of Corporal. In 2012, he left Howe to work with the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office and was promoted to the Criminal Investigation Division in 2013. In 2017, Mr. Whitworth was presented with the opportunity to return to Howe as the Chief of Police for the Howe Police Department. Mr. Whitworth hopes to utilize the training and experience gained during his years of service in corrections, private security, and law enforcement to provide a safe and secure environment for the students, staff, and visitors of the Howe ISD.

903-745-4040
Email Matt Whitworth

Athletic Director

Bio Coming Soon!

903-745-4412
Email Jake Smith

Band & Music Director

Mrs. Liss is a long-time resident of Howe and is a 1984 graduate of Howe High School. The Liss Family is definitely a Bulldog Family as almost her entire family graduated from Howe High School, including her husband, parents, brother, sister-in-law, daughter, son and all of her aunts and uncles. Mrs. Liss joined Howe ISD in 1994 and is currently the high school band director and elementary music teacher. Mrs. Liss graduated with honors from Texas Woman’s University with a Bachelor of Science degree in music therapy, with a triple major in music therapy, music, and psychology. She is a member of the Association for Texas Small School Bands where she is currently serving on the executive board as the 3A State Representative, and is also a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and Texas Bandmasters Association. She and her husband are the proud parents of four children.

903-745-4400
Email Angie Liss

Library Director

Torrey Stricklin-Morrison began her teaching career as a first-grade teacher in Las Vegas, Nevada.  After 3 years of teaching, she became an Educational Computing Strategist sharing 2 elementary campuses in Mesquite, Nevada.  She concluded her years of service in Nevada as a Gifted and Talented teacher.  Ms. Stricklin-Morrison went on to teach Kindergarten in Trenton ISD.  She received her Masters’ Degree from Southern Utah University in 2010.   She obtained her Library Certification from Texas A&M Commerce in 2019.  She is excited to be in this unique position and serve the students, staff, and community members of Howe.  Ms. Stricklin-Morrison and her husband reside in Van Alstyne with their daughter and 2 dogs.  

903-745-4051
Email Torrey Stricklin