The Spring ISD Board of Trustees met at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 7 via in person and streamed via video conferencing, to address items on the agenda. President Rhonda Newhouse called the meeting to order and the Dekaney Wildcat NJROTC Battalion led the presentation of colors with Cadet Commander Enock Gota leading the pledges to the flags. Carrying the U.S. Flag was Cadet Lieutenant Commander Emily Salinas, carrying the Texas Flag was Cadet Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony Fleites; the left rifle was Cadet Petty Officer 2nd Class Avery Closner; and the right rifle was Cadet Ensign Andrea Martinez. The Dekaney Wildcat NJROTC Battalion is led by Chief Victor Adams and Chief Robert Dunn.

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.

Routing Specialist Valerie Blaha named 2021 Operations Specialist of the Year by the Texas Association for Pupil Transportation

The Board of Trustees began by recognizing Transportation Routing Specialist Valerie Blaha, who over the summer received the 2021 Operations Specialist of the Year award from the Texas Association for Pupil Transportation (TAPT).

“The Texas Association for Pupil Transportation is one of the largest organizations of its kind in the United States,” said Spring ISD Director of Transportation Jack Mann during his remarks to the board, explaining that Blaha had been selected by TAPT officials over more than 80 other nominees from across the state. “It is a very special honor,” he said, describing how Blaha’s detail-oriented nature and willingness to serve the people that she works with represented “the team atmosphere that we try and build in the Transportation department to support students in the district.”

Each year, the TAPT Employee of the Year Awards Program honors a handful of deserving staff members from school districts across the state. Employees are nominated by their district supervisors, and those selected are recognized during an annual awards banquet. Blaha found out she was in the running shortly before learning she had been named the award’s winner for 2021.

“I didn’t even know that I had been nominated, so it was kind of cool,” Blaha said after the board meeting. “I was excited. You know, when you’re doing what you love, it’s easy, and you don’t do it for things like this, but it’s nice when somebody else recognizes it.”

Blaha first joined the district in 2007 as a bus driver, after a search for a job that would allow her more time with her own young children after they got home from school. Later, she served as an auxiliary driver and trainer, working her way up to become a routing specialist. She currently manages routes for all of the district’s special needs students, many of whom require special equipment or other accommodations en route.

“I love it,” Blaha said. “It’s like a puzzle. I mean, you have all of these houses and it’s like, OK, I have a bus and these kids that need to go to school. What’s the best, most efficient and safest way to get them there? And it’s up to us to figure that out. It’s the coolest thing.”

Like many in the department who have driving experience, Blaha has been called on to step up and help keep things running during the current bus driver shortage affecting many area districts. Most mornings this semester, after arriving at the Spring ISD Transportation Center between 5 and 5:30 a.m., Blaha starts her day out on the road, driving several bus routes herself before coming back to the office to manage all of her regular responsibilities, then heading out again to drive students home on afternoon bus routes.

Although the extra time spent driving does come with some added stress, Blaha said it’s always a joy to greet students at the bus stops in the morning and to see them home safely at the end of the day.

“It takes a special person,” Blaha said of bus driving. “It takes a lot of patience, but it’s a fun job. People just have to give it a chance. Before I did it, I was petrified. I was like, ‘Are you kidding me?’ But then after I started I was like, ‘This is great! I love this.’”

Communications department recognized for NSPRA national school communication awards

The Board also recognized the Spring ISD Communications Department, which received 25 awards from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) in the organization’s 2021 National School Communication Awards program, including 10 top Awards of Excellence. The awards were officially presented during the NSPRA 2021 National Seminar, held July 11-14 in New Orleans.

In remarks made during the board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Rodney E. Watson noted the Communication department’s continued efforts to ensure that Spring ISD remains a trusted source of information for the community.

“We’re proud of the work the department does, and how the work celebrates the achievements of our students, staff and schools,” said Watson. “I’m especially grateful for how our Communications team connects the district to the community, which has been an incredible support for our Spring ISD families during the pandemic, when timely, transparent communications have been a vital source of information.”

The annual school public relations contest draws entries from across the country, including submissions from public and private schools and school districts, educational organizations and business partners. Each winning entry highlights work in education communication and marketing, encompassing print, electronic communications, video, audio, websites and social media campaigns.

In addition to the 10 Awards of Excellence, Spring ISD received nine Awards of Merit and six Honorable Mentions, covering a wide range of projects and communications mediums all used to inform and engage stakeholders throughout the Spring ISD community – a theme noted by trustees in their remarks following the superintendent’s presentation.

“Spring couldn’t be seen without our Communications department,” said Board President Rhonda Newhouse. “Everybody’s talking about the wonderful information that you put out, so thank you so very much, and we’re going to continue to push you to push Spring ISD and get our information and word out into the community!”

Trustee Winford Adams Jr. commented on how, as a parent, he especially appreciated the ease of navigating the district website.

“It is very well put together and easy to access,” Adams said. “It is not easy work, and it’s hard to please everybody. The way our website is laid out is really user-friendly, so thank you.”

Trustee Justine Durant also remarked on how the work of the Communications team helped engage parents and the broader community in the collective task of preparing students to be lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and responsible citizens.

“Learning happens in the classroom – between that teacher and the child – but it takes that parental involvement and engagement, and you all put the information out there so that our parents can be informed,” Durant said. “Without what you do, we couldn't complete the circle that we need to be successful in making sure that our students become avid learners.”

Chief Communications Officer Sylvia Wood, in her remarks, emphasized the teamwork that helps keep the department strong.

“We have an amazing team here,” Wood said. “Really, this work couldn’t be done without everybody who’s standing here this evening. Not everybody could be here, but we really appreciate the support of the trustees and you, Dr. Watson, to enable us to do what we do, so thank you very much.”

Superintendent's Report

Superintendent Dr. Rodney E. Watson opened his remarks by thanking volunteers who had been busy on Thursday afternoon working during the phone bank for this weekend’s Success Walk. The efforts are part of the district’s EVERYday Counts, Attendance Matters campaign in which staff and volunteers are reaching out to those students who may have not yet returned to class this year or who are struggling with attendance. 

“All the phone calls today and the event on Saturday are essential as we work to get all of our students back into the classroom this year,” Watson said. “Through our challenges over the past 18 months with COVID, the one thing we have learned for sure is that our students need to be in school and learning with their peers in the classroom, every day.”

Volunteers will be out in neighborhoods throughout Spring ISD, talking to students and their families about the importance of coming to school, as well as to address any obstacles they may be facing this school year.

Watson also shared that while the district has received a lot of questions around a virtual learning option, the best place for students is in the classroom with a teacher.

“We’re focusing on providing the best in-person learning experience for all of our students and teachers,” he said. “And we’re committed to using all of the health and safety protocols that we know work.” 

Watson went on to thank all Spring ISD team members for a strong start to the school year and making a difference on behalf of students.

“This is no small achievement during these challenging times, and on behalf of the entire leadership team at Spring, I want to thank our employees,” Watson said, noting that students need their support more than ever. “Whether you’re serving as a bus driver, child nutrition worker, teacher or another role, please know we appreciate your commitment and hard work.”

Watson also took a moment to applaud the district’s high school football teams as the season is well under way, with two games each for Spring, Dekaney and Westfield in the books.

“Our athletes are putting in a tremendous effort this season, and I would like to thank our coaching staff for the support, encouragement and inspiration they provide to our players,” he said, also adding that the teams will begin to play each other later in the season.

Watson closed by urging all stakeholders to the games for the camaraderie and phenomenal half-time performances of the school marching bands. 

Trustees Remarks

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

Trustee Winford Adams led remarks by sharing his experience after attending Spring ISD’s New Teacher Mentorship Program event on Aug. 30. The program pairs the district’s newest teachers with more experienced educators to serve as dedicated mentors during their first year in the classroom.

“I was able to tell the story about my mentor teacher almost 20 years ago,” Adams said. “[She] taught me all the things that would later on make me into a good teacher because that first year is always rough. I just wanted to thank the district for providing that outlet, resource and support for our teachers, especially our first year teachers.”

Trustee Natasha McDaniel took time out to recognize Spring ISD Police Sgt. Vincent Olivarri for going above and beyond to assist her after having car trouble en route to the Sept. 2 Board work session meeting.

On the way here, my car started going haywire and lost power steering,” McDaniel said. “I was actually blocking traffic and lost control, but thankfully, I was safe and I was able to make my way off the road.

[Olivarri] ensured that I made it home safely, so I just wanted to take a moment to commend the Spring ISD Police Department and just let you know that I appreciate that excellence, service and dedication to the Board.” 

President Rhonda Newhouse spoke on spending time with the Spring ISD Transportation department at a recent Dekaney High School football game on Sept. 3, where she explained her gratitude to everyone in the department for stepping up to drive buses--no matter their title.

“I'd like to give a big shoutout to our bus drivers,” Newhouse said. “I learned about the double routes that they take and how our Director of Transportation Jack Mann is out at five o'clock in the morning getting on the bus with the bus drivers driving.” 

Newhouse also mentioned how department employees are currently going ‘overboard’ to ensure all students are getting to school and arriving home safely each evening, with some working double routes in the evenings.

“We even have mechanics who are driving buses to help make sure that our students are getting to school safely.”

Trustee Dr. Deborah Jensen added to Newhouse’s remarks, sharing how her own grandchild’s bus driver is currently driving three routes in Spring ISD.

“I’m just so thankful that we actually have in-district training,” Jensen said. “If you want to be a bus driver, please do so. You will provide a wonderful service to humanity if you do.”

Action Items

Board approves 2021-22 Campus Improvement Plans

The Board of Trustees approved the district’s Campus Improvement Plans after a detailed presentation outlining the specific visions of three campuses – Eickenroht Elementary School, Wells Middle School and Spring High School – given during the board’s Sept. 2 work session. 

During that meeting, Spring ISD Chief of Innovation and Equity Dr. Lupita Hinojosa discussed the policies surrounding the development and review of the Campus Improvement Plans, which are issued annually to steer the process of improving performance for all students. She also noted that the plans are anchored in the state’s Effective Schools Framework, aligned to the district’s strategic priorities, guided by expected outcomes, driven by school-based data analysis and focused on accelerated instruction. “It is an ongoing process,” she said. “The Campus Improvement Plans are living, breathing documents.” Hinojosa noted that the Board will hear regular updates on the plans throughout the year, including scheduled updates in October, December, March and June. At the board work session, trustees learned more about the work that campus principals at Eickenroht, Wells and Spring are doing this school year to ensure student success and drive student achievement. 

Eickenroht Elementary Principal Shanna Swearingen shared her vision for the campus as its new principal this year. “I see Eickenroht as a community school where all students, parents, staff and members of the community feel welcome,” she said. “I envision community partnerships with churches, businesses and nonprofit organizations. I see our students thriving academically, socially and emotionally, and I envision parents understanding the importance of their role in their child's education.”

As part of her campus improvement plan, Swearingen said she is putting a big focus on campus culture and high expectations around learning, especially getting all students reading on grade level. 

At Wells Middle School, the focus will be “to deliver high quality instruction where students are able to problem solve, think critically, so that they're prepared for high school, college, careers and beyond,” said Principal LaQuisha Knowles, who is also new to her role at Wells.

Specifically, Knowles said that she is including 90 minutes of math and reading instruction daily for all students, as well as embedding literacy across content areas. “Daily interventions are built inside of the schedule for all students as a way to accelerate learning and recover the learning that was lost,” she said. 

Trustees also heard from Spring High School Principal Dr. James Golden, who became the principal of the district’s largest high school in June. “Every student in every classroom deserves a strong sense of well-being and connectedness as a result of learning and living in a school environment that is welcoming, equitable, inclusive and respectful,” he said.

He noted the challenge of students returning to the classroom after the many disruptions related to the pandemic. “We are committed to ensuring that students return from an 18-month interrupted learning atmosphere and back to Spring High School in a safe, nurturing environment with high expectations, while achieving academic success with a high level of student growth, demonstrated through measurable student outcomes.”

During the work session presentations, trustees asked questions and in some cases asked for additional details about the specific goals and challenges covered in the Campus Improvement Plans, including high student mobility rates and social-emotional needs.

“The social-emotional learning ... I think will be key as we climb out of this hole we’re in,” said Trustee Winford Adams Jr. “Getting the kids to be able to deal with mindfulness and to regulate their emotions. … Those lessons will be key and critical.” 

Superintendent Watson assured the trustees that social-emotional learning resources are in place to help students across the district. “Our schools have their hands full,” he said. “There’s a lot of work to be done, and so we’re going to continue supporting them to make sure they have the resources to do it.”

At Tuesday’s public hearing on the Campus Improvement Plans, there were no registered speakers. However, anyone who is interested in reviewing a Campus Improvement Plan will be able to find the documents on their school’s website.

In Other Action the Board Approved:

• The minutes from the Aug. 5, 2021, board work session; the Aug. 10, 2021, regular meeting; and the Aug. 23, 2021, special called session;

• Convening the School Health Advisory Council for the purpose of making recommendations regarding the curriculum materials;

• The Non-Financial Interagency Facility Use Agreement between Lone Star College System District and Spring Independent School District for Adult Education and Literacy Services;

• Taxpayer Refunds;

• And the Certification of Anticipated Collection Rate for Spring Independent School District.