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Gina Mannino has been named assistant superintendent of schools, Superintendent Jamey Harrison has announced.

She will succeed longtime district staffer Joe Chenella and be the district’s first woman assistant superintendent. Chenella is retiring after 48 years with Bridge City ISD.

Mannino’s association with the district goes back to being a student there – and as a native of Bridge City.

In the 1980s, she served as the Cardinal mascot while in high school. Mannino has served in several administrative positions, including that of assistant director of curriculum and instruction earlier this year.

“I am very excited about the coming school year,” Mannino said. “There are lots of wonderful new things and people working for and with our school district. Of course the new construction of the state-of-the-art Bridge City Elementary is top on the list of new and wonderful things.

“It has been an honor to be a member of the BCISD team. Working with Mr. Chenella – my former high school principal – was a real treat. He gave a great deal to this district and to the students he served as a principal and an assistant superintendent. Each administrator, teacher and staff member of BCISD has taught me a great deal. These past few years under the leadership of Dr. Harrison we have been able to overcome many obstacles. Many folks would have been happy just to overcome these obstacles, but we have not only overcome – we have improved student performance and facilities. I look forward to many years to come with the best district in Texas.

A 1984 graduate of BCHS, Mannino has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Lamar University. She holds a master’s degree in education and a mid-management certification as well as superintendent’s certification.

She taught in Aldine for four years as a second- and fifth-grade teacher; and Central Middle School in Nederland for four years; and served as an educational consultant at the Region 5 Education Service Center for five years. In the West Orange-Cove school district, she served as director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction; and principal of Bancroft Elementary School.

In Bridge City, she was principal of Sims Elementary for three years, a school she attended as a student; and was principal of Bridge City High School for two years.

In 2008 she was named executive director of Curriculum and Instruction in 2008.

Classes for the Bridge City district began this week.