Former Angleton ISD leader dies

By Jason Smith
The Facts

Published January 9, 2007

ANGLETON — Lynne Perryman is considered a prime example of what an educator is supposed to be.

Perryman, who rose from a classroom teacher to superintendent in her 29 years with Angleton ISD, died early Monday after a 31?2-year battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. She was 55.

“She was the ultimate example of an educator,” said Pat Montgomery, executive director of instruction at Angleton ISD. “She was involved in everything and loved helping everyone.”

Montgomery remembered Perryman helping a teacher who was in need of money to pay her bills while waiting for her first paycheck. It was going to be several weeks before she would get a paycheck, so Perryman gave her money out of her own pocket, Montgomery said.

Montgomery also credits Perryman with helping her get her doctorate.

“One of the best things she did was mentor to other people,” Montgomery said. “There is not an administrator in the district who didn’t receive support from her.”

Perryman grew up in Angleton and graduated from Angleton High School in 1969, the same year she helped the girls basketball team go to the state finals, Montgomery said. She went on to receive her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas. She also received master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Houston.

She began her teaching career in 1973 with Brazosport ISD, but went back to her roots twoyears later and taught seventh-grade science at Angleton ISD. She would go on to be the director of gifted and talented education, then assistant superintendent in 1993 under Superintendent Herman Smith.

When Smith retired in 2002, she took his place, guiding the district through the transition from the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills to the tougher Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, on which the third-graders achieved exemplary status. She also helped balance the district’s budget in 2002 when state funding was cut by $1.1 million.

“She was very well respected in AISD,” said Linda Winder, a former teacher of Perryman and now an Angleton ISD trustee. “Lynne was a wonderful person.”

Perryman stepped down from her position as superintendent in 2004 for medical reasons.

“People in education have an incredible opportunity to teach people and that is what she was about,” said Dr. Mark Bonnen, a close friend.

Perryman taught Bonnen in her seventh-grade science class and also was a close friend to his wife, Bonnen said.

“It was difficult to go places with her where she didn’t run into someone she knew,” Bonnen said.

Funeral services will be at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, 227 S. Chenango in Angleton. Perryman asked that memorial donations be made to the A-Team Scholarship, in memory of Lynne B. Perryman, 1900 N Downing Road, Angleton, TX 77515.