The Spring ISD Board of Trustees met at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14, in person, and streamed via video conferencing, to address items on the agenda. President Justine Durant called the meeting to order. The Dekaney Wildcat Navy JROTC Battalion led the presentation of colors, with Cadet Petty Officer 3rd Class Camila Martinez leading the pledges to the flags. Carrying the U.S. Flag was Cadet Petty Officer 3rd class Deisy Alcocer. Carrying the Texas Flag was Cadet Lt. Jordan Walker. The left rifle guard was Cadet Petty Officer 2nd Class Gabriella Lopez. The right rifle guard was Cadet Petty Officer 1st Class Savannah Ellis. The Dekaney Wildcat Navy JROTC Battalion is led by Chief Victor Adams and Chief Robert Dunn.

Recognitions

Since January 1984, the Board has recognized students and staff for major accomplishments beyond the District with Points of Pride awards. ABCD awards are presented to individuals or groups that go Above and Beyond the Call of Duty.

Spotlight – 2023 Rising Writers’ Student Expo

The Board recognized participants and winners of the district’s second-annual Rising Writers’ Student Expo, held Jan. 18 and featuring the work of Pre-K through 12th grade students in Spring ISD.

“Up first, we are going to highlight several of our students as part of our second-annual Rising Writers’ Student Expo, an incredible event where we got to really display and showcase our students’ writing abilities,” Chief of Academics Dr. Kregg Cuellar told the trustees during his introductory remarks.

This year’s submissions came from across the student body, representing Bilingual, Emergent Bilingual, CTE, Gifted and Talented, Special Education and general education students. Each campus also selected ambassadors to meet and greet community members in attendance at the expo event on Jan. 18 and to talk to attendees about the importance of writing in their lives.

Each campus submitted up to 14 exemplary writing pieces for consideration and commendation, with up to three medal recipients named from each campus in the districtwide contest. In all, more than 400 student submissions were read and evaluated by the contest judges.

Three student winners were invited to read selections from their pieces during the meeting, and the board members also heard from two published student authors who spoke about their work and what writing has meant to them.

Springwoods Village Middle School eighth grader Troy Caines Jr. read from an essay he wrote on the importance of role models; Wells Middle School seventh grader Ethan Vu shared a passage from his short story submission; and Dekaney High School sophomore Ximena Alejandra Cepeda Alvarado shared a bilingual excerpt from her essay about her relationship with her grandmother.

Carl Wunsche Sr. High School sophomore Sarah Salinas read a selection from her book “Here’s to the Day I Die.” After last year’s Rising Writers’ expo, Salinas attended the February 2022 board meeting to read her poem, “The Girl with the Blank Expression,” about a young person’s struggle with depression, mental health, loneliness, and thoughts of self-harm. Writing that poem, Salinas explained to the trustees, had helped set her on a course of renewal during a period of struggle in her own life.

“I've progressed so much from that,” Salinas said, “and writing has done so much for me in those times. It has helped me cope in ways that I can't even imagine.”

Spring High School junior RJ Walker also attended the meeting. Walker, a dedicated writer who published his first novel at 14, recently added a second book to his series about a talented high school basketball player growing up while navigating school, sports, and life. Walker’s latest is called “The Legend: Tournament (Part I),” and he told trustees he was excited to see the district’s Rising Writers’ event growing and impacting more students.

“When I was in middle school, it wasn't this big of a deal,” Walker said. “It's just really nice to see, so I appreciate you all, you know, paying attention to us, listening to us, hearing our voices.”

Executive Director of Instructional Services Dr. Marie Mendoza introduced the student guests and explained how the Rising Writers’ expo directly connects with the district’s Literacy Plan by supporting student growth in the important areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

“You see the power that writing has, and it's a beautiful thing,” Mendoza said after the students had each spoken. “So I just want to say thank you, and congratulations to all of our medalists.”

Trustees congratulated all of this year’s winners, and encouraged the students in attendance to continue practicing their craft as writers.

“My grandmother always said that reading was the key to knowledge. It opens up and strengthens the mind,” Board President Justine Durant said. “The strongest muscle in your body is your mind, and to be able to write something that can motivate and touch other people is a gift – it’s a gift to be treasured, and it’s a gift to celebrate.”

Spotlight – Black History Month Student Event – Africa’s Impact on the World

The administration also highlighted the district’s various Black History Month events and invited student winners from the districtwide competition to be honored at the meeting for their work on their Black History Month projects.

Students from every campus and grade level were invited to work individually or in small groups to research topics related to the district’s Black History Month theme, Africa’s Impact on the World, which connects with Spring ISD’s core belief in valuing diversity and treating everyone with dignity and respect.

“As we continue to embrace our theme this year of Africa's impact on the world, it was amazing to be able to see all of our scholars really showcase and display all of their incredible projects, their work, even their performing and visual arts demonstrations,” said Chief of Academics Dr. Kregg Cuellar.

Campuses hosted their own Black History Month events near the start of the spring semester, with the goal of having their students participate in the district event on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at Dekaney High School, which culminated with an awards ceremony featuring student dance and musical performances.

This year's event offered students an opportunity to learn about Africa's connections to the past, present and future. Students were invited to write, draw, rap, dance, or sing about individuals or groups connected to Africa and African heritage around the world. Trustee Winford Adams Jr. said the trustees were excited to see students utilizing a range of presentation tools to share about their projects during the expo.

“I just want to say how impressive these projects are,” Adams said. “I especially appreciate the different types of media you all used – PowerPoint presentations and video presentations, it’s all getting you ready for the future and what you will need to be able to do when you get into your professional lives. So again, wonderful projects, and we appreciate the great work you’re doing.”

Read more.

ABCD Award – Eduardo Ocampo, Carl Wunsche Sr. High School Law Enforcement Pathway Student

The Board recognized Eduardo Ocampo, a Carl Wunsche Sr. High School senior enrolled in the Law Enforcement Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway, for his bravery and quick thinking shown during an event on campus in December.

Chief Operations Officer Mark Miranda introduced Ocampo and gave trustees some background on the incident that took place at the campus.

“During an afternoon lunch transition, Ocampo saw a disruption in the main hall at Wunsche and took action,” Miranda said, “utilizing his CTE pathway training to support a Wunsche faculty member in de-escalating an altercation between two other students and remaining there until an administrator had arrived on the scene. He assisted the teacher without hesitation or concern for himself, and through his actions provided a positive example of quick, efficient de-escalation while remaining cool under pressure.”

Ocampo was identified for recognition by the Spring ISD Police Department for his actions, and for his support in keeping his campus a safe place for teaching and learning.

Spring ISD Police Department Sgt. Andre Jones was also on-hand for the presentation, and praised Ocampo for his character and commitment to the safety of staff and students at Wunsche.

“Eduardo, on campus you exemplified four cardinal virtues that we identified: fortitude, prudence, temperance, and justice,” said Jones, who went on to explain how Ocampo’s actions in ensuring the safety of his teacher were a testament to the strong community at Wunsche. “By you doing that, you showed great courage, and we truly appreciate you for that.”

Jones also presented Ocampo with a challenge coin on behalf of the police department. A military and law enforcement tradition, challenge coins are often given in recognition of special service or high achievement.

Wunsche Principal Dr. Alfred James also thanked Ocampo and congratulated him on his plans to enter the U.S. Marines after graduation.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done for us,” James said, “and I just want to publicly acknowledge your accomplishment.”

ABCD Award – Holy Comforter Episcopal Church

The Board also recognized Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, under the leadership of Rev. John Soard and Deacon Robert Lowry, for the congregation’s longstanding support of the district and its staff and students.

“Holy Comforter has served on the Spring ISD Ministerial Alliance for many years,” Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa told the trustees during her remarks, “and continues to support our district as a key member of the Ministerial Alliance, mentoring or tutoring our students, providing school supplies and other resources – financial, academic, and emotional – to help our students on their path to success.”

Hinojosa noted that Lowry, who was ordained to the diaconate in 2012, has helped expand worship services into local nursing homes, spearheads a nonprofit group devoted to supporting local families, and has served as a dedicated tutor and mentor at Spring High School, where he enjoys helping students build their reading skills.

“Whenever Spring ISD comes calling for support, he and the church are the first to deliver,” Hinojosa said, “and we appreciate all they have done to support our school district.”

In addition to Rev. Soard and Deacon Lowry, Hinojosa also mentioned the contributions of Linda Astala, a longtime member of Holy Comforter and the church’s coordinator of school partnership ministries. Astala helped form a mentoring partnership between the church and Salyers Elementary School that has lasted for a decade and has brought numerous mentors into the lives of students at Salyers and other Spring ISD campuses.

After inviting all congregation members in attendance to stand and be recognized, Trustee Kelly P. Hodges thanked the church for its service to the district and its students and families.

“On behalf of the Board, we want to thank you so much for all that you do for our kids and our students, our faculty and staff, and thank you so much for your commitment,” Hodges said. “We appreciate you doing all that you do to support Spring Independent School District.”

The church’s recognition was organized through the Board of Trustees’ Community Engagement Committee, which plans to launch an ongoing series of board recognitions honoring Spring ISD’s community partners.

Superintendent's Report

Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa began her remarks by recapping the State of the District event, which took place Tuesday, Feb. 7. The event, which was held for the first time since the pandemic, raised more than $30,000 for student scholarships. 

“It gave us an opportunity to truly showcase our amazing students and all the great work that they're doing,” Hinojosa said. “And we know that it couldn't be possible without our educators, without the teachers day in and day out, working with our students and with our school leaders, and staying focused on what our students need.”

She went on to thank the various departments involved with the event, like Child Nutrition, Operations, the Police Department, Communications, and the Family and Community Engagement team. She also thanked the community partners who attended and purchased tickets and sponsorships for the event.

Hinojosa went on to highlight the district’s recent Black History Expo event. For this year’s Black History Month group and individual projects, Spring ISD students focused on the impact of Africa on the world, together with the impact made by people of African descent throughout history. Participating students of all backgrounds took on projects that connected to the assigned theme through art, science, history and social studies, poetry and song, and even cooking. Several of the winners from that event were recognized and performed at the board meeting, as well.

The superintendent then mentioned the extended deadline for the annual School Quality Survey. The original deadline was extended a week, to Sunday, Feb.19. 

Finally, Hinojosa mentioned the Attendance Matters Walk that occurred on Saturday, Feb. 4. Many of the board members were in attendance at the event, as well as staff volunteers from throughout the district. 

“Our focus was to raise the awareness that attendance matters,” Hinojosa said. “Our kids need to be in school every single day, so that they can learn. We had the opportunity to [get out in] the community to be able to visit students that we had already identified that were missing too many days of school.” 

Volunteers met with those selected students and parents to inform them of resources available that could make attendance easier for the students and their families. 

Trustees Remarks

At each regular board meeting, during Opening Remarks, each board member is given the opportunity to share information with those present.

Deborah Jensen
Position 1

Kelly P. Hodges
Position 2

Justine Durant
Position 3

Winford Adams Jr.
Position 4

Rhonda Newhouse
Position 5

Carmen Correa
Position 6

Natasha McDaniel
Position 7

Assistant Secretary Rhonda Newhouse spoke first, recognizing the schools that have held Black History Month programming in February. She attended the Black History Expo at Dekaney High School, which hosted students from across the district with speeches, dance, artwork, and more that highlighted Black History. She also mentioned the Black History Museum at Marshall Elementary. Organized by Library Media Specialist Alivia Hardges, the museum features important figures from throughout history with artwork done by students from Marshall. She then spoke about an event with the Student Council at Bailey Middle School, as well as a program at Eickenroht Elementary. 

Vice President Winford Adams Jr. spoke about his recent travels to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. He met with the legislative director for Congressman Dan Crenshaw, who represents portions of Spring ISD. 

“We had a really good conversation about our needs in public education, and extended ourselves as a resource to him,” Adams said. 

He then mentioned two other events he attended, a production of "Mamma Mia!" at Spring High School as well as the district spelling bee. About two dozen elementary and middle school students competed at the event. In the end, William Hernandez, a fourth grader from Hirsch Elementary, correctly spelled “topgallant” to secure first place.

Trustee Natasha McDaniel spoke next and recognized Burchett Elementary for their participation in the Read to the Final Four challenge, in which they placed in the top schools and moved on to the next level. The NCAA Final Four basketball championship is set to take place in Houston in April, and to engage Houston area youth and leave a lasting, positive impact on students, the NCAA and the Houston Local Organizing Committee teamed up to promote and inspire reading growth for third graders through a year-long, citywide reading initiative. Out of nearly 200 schools, Burchett Elementary placed in the “Sweet Sixteen,” and will keep competing.

“At the end of the day, the goal is for them to become lovers of reading, to get lost in books and to find adventure in reading and really see it as a treasure,” McDaniel said. “We definitely have our kids on the right track.”

Secretary Kelly P. Hodges spoke about the pair of events the Board of Trustees are hosting to listen to district parents as well as district teachers about how to push Spring ISD forward. Building Bridges with the Board is for community members to speak with the trustees, while Table Talks is set aside for district staff.

“This was my first experience with actually being able to sit across from community members and actually be able to hear their thoughts and get their perspective on how we're doing as a district,” Hodges said. “We learned a lot. We know that we have some growing pains or some areas of improvement, but I enjoyed the feedback.”

President Justine Durant finished Trustees Remarks by also mentioning her visit to Washington, D.C. to speak with legislators about public school and education funding. She also praised the work of her fellow trustees.

“They are out there supporting our children, being advocates for you and our community at the highest level,” Durant said.

Updates

Audit Committee provides update

Assistant Secretary Rhonda Newhouse offered an overview of recent audit committee reviews conducted across several schools and departments in coordination with the district’s internal auditor, Patricia Rios. Specifically, Newhouse shared that the committee had reviewed audit information related to the Procurement Department, Hoyland Elementary School and Ponderosa Elementary School.

The audit included a review of the district’s limited Procurement Card (P-Card) program, which the committee found to be operating in compliance with applicable board policies and finance guidelines.

“Only selected departments or users have been authorized to use the procurement cards, to maintain security and control of this,” Newhouse said. She thanked the Performing and Visual Arts Department, Child Nutrition, Transportation, the Office of the Superintendent, and the Financial Services and Procurement departments for their assistance in completing the review.

Newhouse also praised the bookkeeping procedures in place at both Hoyland and Ponderosa, where the audit review found strong systems in place that were able to accurately keep track of campus activity funds, deposits and receipts, and school fundraising activities.

Board Governance Committee provides update

Trustee Dr. Deborah Jensen recounted board members’ recent visit to Washington D.C. and their meeting with the legislative director for U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw.

“We had, I think, a very good beginning to starting a conversation,” Jensen said, “in trying to find common ground where we can get the federal government support for, especially, our Special Ed programs. We are looking forward to a day in Austin meeting our state legislators, and we will continue opening up more relationships, hopefully.”

Jensen also spoke briefly about the 88th Texas Legislative Session, now underway in Austin, and said the committee would continue watching as new bills are introduced and developed, including potential legislation that could support teacher recruitment and retention efforts as well as public school funding.

“It’s an ongoing process,” Jensen said. “We're looking forward to taking our advocacy to the Texas Legislature and to Congress in Washington, D.C.”

Equity Committee provides update

Board Vice President Winford Adams Jr. spoke about a professional development opportunity with the Georgetown Edunomics Lab that committee members had taken advantage of during their recent time in Washington, D.C.

The Edunomics Lab is a research center at Georgetown University dedicated to “exploring and modeling complex education finance decisions to inform education policy and practice.” Adams explained that he and Trustee Natasha McDaniel had both secured scholarship funding to participate in additional Edunomics Lab training aimed at supporting school districts through the upcoming end of federal support from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER).

“So I, and Trustee McDaniel, will be participating in that training, which is all about figuring out how to utilize finance and budget, especially in the face of the looming ESSER cliff that's coming, and of how to best use those dollars,” Adams said.

Community Engagement Committee provides update

Board Secretary Kelly P. Hodges spoke about the ongoing Table Talks being held by the Board to gain feedback and input from district staff and members of the Spring ISD community, including parents.

“I just wanted to again thank everyone who participated in our Table Talks, and we are excited,” Hodges said. “Our second Table Talk will be this weekend, on Saturday, and I encourage our community members to sign up and participate in that. We are excited to get your feedback, and do know that we are compiling all of the information and we will present that once we complete the Table Talks.”

Hodges also thanked the Spring ISD Family and Community Engagement Department and its executive director, Tranita Carroll, for helping connect the trustees with stakeholders in the district.

“I also want to thank Ms. Tranita Carroll and her department for always being able to assist and willing to assist and to go above and beyond in helping us reach the community and helping us to identify issues and/or concerns that some of the community members may have, because they do really have their ear to the street in that department, so I really appreciate it.”

“Thank you so much for lending your time and talents to help us with this committee,” Hodges continued. “It's only going to help us be stronger and do better work for Spring ISD.” 

Action Items and Presentations

Board approves updates to the 2022 Teacher Effectiveness Retention/Recruitment Incentive

Following a presentation and discussion at the Feb. 9 Board Work Session, trustees voted to approve updates to the 2022 Teacher Effectiveness Retention/Recruitment Incentive program.

As part of the Spring Rewards Program, the Teacher Effectiveness Incentive was approved in January 2022 and had initial payouts in October 2022. The program was designed to strengthen the district’s recruitment and retention efforts, with a particular focus on hiring and ensuring the success of outstanding classroom teachers.

In a bold response to the nationwide teacher and education staffing shortage worsened by the pandemic, the Spring ISD Board of Trustees authorized the administration to implement staff recruitment and retention strategies, including the Teacher Effectiveness Retention/Recruitment Incentive.

Teacher Effectiveness Incentive Payouts began in October 2022, and were determined based on a formula that incorporated STAAR achievement and growth, Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS) Summative Ratings, and teachers’ years of experience. In the initial payout last fall, 366 teachers – representing approximately 16% of the district’s total teacher workforce – earned more than $1.5 million in effectiveness incentive pay.

The administration made several recommendations to improve the incentive program, including clearer definitions of who is eligible for the incentive payments and additional measures to ensure that otherwise-eligible teachers are not excluded due to class size disparities. As a result of the updates and clarifications to the program now approved by the Board, more than 50 additional teachers are expected to receive effectiveness incentive payments.

Board approves Revised Internal Audit Plan for Fiscal Year 2022-2023

Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa presented the district’s revised Internal Audit Plan for Fiscal Year 2022-2023, prepared by Spring ISD Internal Auditor Patricia C. Rios. The Board then voted to approve the revised plan, which includes additional provisions related to Position Control to help the district better navigate the end of federal ESSER funding.

In other action, the Board approved:

• Minutes from the Jan. 5, 2023 work session; Jan. 7, 2023 special called session; and the Jan. 10, 2023 regular meeting;

• Affiliation Agreement/Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UT-Health Houston and Spring Independent School District;

• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Texas A&M University and Spring Independent School District – Project EBEST;

• Clinical Placement Site Agreement with the University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions Eleanor Mann School of Nursing;

• TEA Remote Homebound Instruction Waiver – General Education Homebound (GEH) and Compensatory Education Home Instruction (CEHI) program for the 2022-23 School Year;

• Second Reading of Board Policy BJCD (LOCAL) – Superintendent Evaluation;

• Annual Review of Investment Policy CDA (LOCAL) – OTHER REVENUES – INVESTMENTS (Recurring Item);

• Annual Report on Purchasing Cooperative Fees for 2021-22 Fiscal Year (Recurring Item);

• Request for Proposal (RFP) # 22-023 SUP1 – Professional Development, Speakers, Consultants, Trainers and Related Services and Materials;

• Request for Proposal (RFP) # 23-014 – Construction Bond Audit Services;

• 2022-23 Second Budget Review (Recurring Item);

• Banking and Investment Resolutions to Update Authorized Representative Information for Banking and Investment Functions; and

• Taxpayer refunds (Recurring item).