Klein District News - Fall 2022

SAFETY

SECURITY

The Klein ISD Police Department, the first established and finest school based police department in Texas, continues to be a model for other districts across the state

Our highly trained officers remain highly visible across the district by monitoring our schools and facilities 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, making over 47,000 campus checks during the 2021 2022 school year

Our Board of Trustees partners with district leadership to continuously enhance our comprehensive safety and security measures, including:

Additional police officers hired to join our robust department

Klein ISD Police Department collaboration with outside law enforcement and safety agencies

Largest total number of ALERRT Trained Officers (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training) on staff in the entire state

Emergency Management Coordination team supports all school safety teams and are experts in the process of reunifying families in the event of an emergency

a message from our

SUPERINTENDENT DR. JENNY MCGOWN

Dear Klein Community,

The 2021 2022 school year was unique and challenging, yet our students, staff, and families persevered, achieving remarkable successes together Our Triple A tradition of excellence in Academics, the Arts, and Athletics continues to grow stronger, as our collective achievements last year demonstrate.

As a long time educator, parent, and community member of Klein ISD, I’m proud to share our district’s annual performance report highlights with you. I’m grateful for this opportunity to shine a spotlight on the incredible people of our Klein Family who work so hard to dedicate themselves to the success of our kids, the future of our beloved Nation

In Klein ISD, students are at the center of all the work we do, and we make it our priority to ensure their success, safety, and happiness Thank you for the privilege of allowing us to partner with you in our children’s educational journey

Dr Jenny McGownThank you for helping Keep Klein Safe!

facebook.com /jennymcgownsupt @jenny mcgown @jennymcgownsupt

BOARD OF TRUSTEES ADOPTS

LOWEST TAX RATE IN 30 YEARS

The Klein ISD Board of Trustees proposed and approved a new tax rate of $123 at the September Board of Trustees meeting This new tax rate is the lowest in 30 years, decreasing seven cents from last year.

“We are so pleased that our Board of Trustees adopted the lowest tax rate in 30 years,” Klein ISD Board President Ronnie Anderson said. “I am grateful for the partnership of our Board of Trustees and district leadership in maintaining our tradition of excellence, always working together to meet the needs of our students, and maintaining our high level of financial integrity and transparency while focusing on cost saving measures for our taxpayers.”

Homestead taxes are frozen for citizens with exemptions for those who are over 65 or disabled persons unless the citizen is currently paying below their tax ceiling

KLEIN ISD IS "A" RATED

We’re thrilled to announce that Niche.com has recognized us as a 2023 Best School District. In addition to awarding us an "A" rating, Klein ISD was also ranked in the TOP 10 in Harris County for the following:

Best School District Best Teachers

Best Place to Teach

Best School District for Athletes

KLEIN ISD IS EXTRAORDINARY’

TEA Commissioner Commends District on Historic Academic Growth

Klein ISD has maintained or excelled in nearly all STAAR tested areas with an unprecedented districtwide increase of nine points in student academic growth and a 67 percent increase in the total number of schools earning “A” ratings in state accountability

Klein ISD has improved from 33 total distinctions in 2019 to 80 total distinction designations in this year’s ratings. Schools earn distinctions for representing high academic achievement in the top 25 percent of similar schools across the state.

NITSCH ELEMENTARY

WOWS IN STATE RATINGS

One of the greatest success stories in Klein ISD is Nitsch Elementary, raising its overall STAAR rating from 71 in 2019 to an A rating of 95 in 2022 Nitsch was awarded all six possible distinction designations for outstanding performance.

Third highest Student Achievement increase in the state for a high-poverty elementary school

“Klein ISD, it should be worth noting, has experienced unparalleled growth in both student achievement and longitudinal student growth for kids,” TEA Commissioner Morath said. “Klein ISD is extraordinary. It is an outlier. This is cause for celebration.”

BEST IN THE STATE OF TEXAS

Dr. Jenny McGown named 2022 Texas Superintendent of the Year Finalist

The Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) has announced that our Klein ISD Superintendent Dr. Jenny McGown has been named one of only five top superintendents from across Texas who have been chosen as a 2022 Texas Superintendent of the Year finalist.

This incredible recognition comes as a result of Dr McGown’s prestigious honor of being named the 2022 Region 4 Superintendent of the Year

“Dr McGown has a huge heart for our kids and is fully dedicated to the Klein ISD community,” Klein ISD Board President Ronnie Anderson said “This honor is a testament to her excellent leadership and the way she always gives her absolute best to our Klein Family. We are all so very proud of Dr. McGown for this wonderful and well deserved achievement.”

Lisa Mackey named 2022 Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year Finalist

The Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) has announced that Fox Elementary School’s Lisa Mackey has been named one of three outstanding educators from across Texas who have been chosen as a 2023 Elementary Texas Teacher of the Year finalist.

Mrs. Mackey is the first Klein ISD teacher to be named a statewide finalist after being honored as the 2022 Region 4 Elementary Teacher of the Year

“Lisa Mackey is the kind of teacher every student dreams of having,” Klein ISD Superintendent Dr Jenny McGown said “The way Lisa uplifts and encourages every student who crosses her path to become leaders and innovators truly speaks volumes about who she is and the positive impact she makes every day at Fox Elementary School.”

Region 4 serves 1.3 million students, 105,00 educators, 1,500 schools, spread acrosss 48 school districts and 8 counties.

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

Klein ISD has proudly represented our athletic program at state level UIL competitions for 40 consecutive years Most recently, student athletes have competed in track & field, wrestling, volleyball, tennis, golf, and swimming

The Klein ISD Football Program is home to two coaches who have been honored by Dave Campbell's Texas Football "40 Under 40" list of the best young coaches Head football coaches James Clancy from Klein Cain and Johnathan Wilson from Klein Forest are among the top coaches in the entire state

WIN THE GAM WITH ATHLETI TRAINERS

Klein ISD offers a comprehensive athletic program that includes Athletic Training Program each high school. They provide a wide variety of c including concussion management and education, rehabilitation and evaluation of injuries as well as a variety of therapeutic care to ensure proper care of student athletes. Klein ISD proudly partners with local health care providers to enhance the program and students' learning opportunities

Proud to Partner with

KLEIN CHAMPIONS PROGRAM

Klein Champions offers sports training and athletic competition for children with intellectual disabilities, ages 8 21.

The program is open to all schools, and athletes participate in a variety of Olympic type sports, including swimming, golf, bowling, volleyball, basketball, track & field, and tennis.

KLEIN ISD FINE ARTS PROGRAMS LEAD THE WAY

KLEIN ISD STUDENT-MU RANKED AMONG TOP 2

The Texas Music Educators Association represe school music educators across the state. This p organization has selected numerous Klein ISD honored as All State musicians, a distinction ho talented student musicians who represent the music students in Texas Additionally, our Klein Superintendent Dr Jenny McGown has been h TMEA Distinguished Administrator for preserv music education programs in the district

KLEIN ISD VISUAL ART PROGRAMS SCORE IN TOP 5%

Klein ISD is one of only 16 school districts to receive the honor of Texas Art Education Association's District of Distinction for 4 consecutive years, every year the distinction has been available! Over 1,200 districts are eligible to apply, and this honor places Klein ISD's Visual Art programming in the top 5% of the state The TAEA Administration and Supervision Division recognize districts with outstanding leadership in promoting the arts in their district and community

KLEIN ISD ONCE AGAIN RECOGNIZED FOR MUSIC EDUCATION

The Best Communities for Music Education Award is a signature program of The NAMM Foundation, National Association of Music Merchants, that recognizes school districts for their support and commitment to music education as part of a well rounded education Klein ISD has received this honor for 11 consecutive years.

ELEMENTARY

INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL

KLEIN PREP (KP)

Rigorous coursework aligned to Texas College & Career Readiness Standards

Preparation for Advanced Placement, Dual Credit, and International Baccalaureate curricula

HUMANITIES

Extend high level thinking, grammar and writing Prepares students for PSAT, SAT, ACT, and AP tests

Over 200 Unique Pathway Courses offered

Over 50 certification and licensures offered

Access to Klein Prep, Dual Credit, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate courses

Advanced Pathways to earn an associate degree before high school graduation

math concepts

for high school math courses

Complete 3 years of coursework in 2 years

Take Biology in grade 8, earning high school credit

ACCELERATED MATH

Complete 3 years of coursework in 2 years

Take Algebra 1 in grade 8, earning high school credit

CREATING GRATITUD

"We looked across the remnants of the home she left behind, a shell of what it used to be. My grandma looked at me directly and said, 'I did this for you. All my hard work has been for you.’”

Klein High senior and Space Force JROTC Corps Commander Viviana Cruz’s vivid memory of visiting her grandmother's house in Mexico is the moment her eyes opened to the collective sacrifice and love that has led to a life of endless opportunities.

"My family has done everything not just my mom and dad, but generations before them so I have a chance to be the best I can be. That's their gift to me," Viviana said.

Her humble beginnings and gratitude have been critical factors in her passion for leading and mentoring Space Force cadets

"I believe everyone has potential...the key is tapping into that potential," Viviana said. "Helping them realize and reach these potentials has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences I've had.”

Leading 1 of 10 Space Force JROTC units in the Nation comes with great responsibility, something only possible through her love of the Space Force JROTC program and our great nation

"The root of every society is our teachers. After four years with Lieutenant Colonel Lambert and Master Sergeant Tasby, I can honestly say that Klein ISD hires the best teachers. Every opportunity in Klein makes a difference in our futures.”

Along with her leadership and vision for the future, Viviana holds two goals near and dear to her heart

SAVE THE DATE

November 11, 2022

9:30 am

Klein Memorial Stadium 16607 Stuebner Airline Rd Spring, TX 77379

"We have to prove that we deserve this honor and keep pushing forward so that this accomplishment never dulls," Viviana said "We're representing not only ourselves but also Space Force and all veterans We're representing so much more than just us"

With instructors who genuinely care at the program’s helm, Viviana could not be more proud to learn from two adults she calls 'school superheroes’

"I hope our cadets learn that they are stronger and smarter than they think I hope they know they're not alone That's the beautiful thing about JROTC we're a unit We are one"

Her second goal is more personal

"I want the opportunity to make the people who have supported me proud," Viviana said "The best way I think I can do this is by pursuing my degree It'll be the result of their blood, sweat, and tears"

Klein High’s SPACE FORCE JROTC is one of only 10 schools across the nation, and the only unit from the state of Texas, chosen to spearhead this new branch of the armed services

KLEIN ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES

ATHY

Approved Retention Incentive for Klein ISD Teachers and Staff

Called for the 2022 Klein ISD Bond Election

Nominated Dr. Jenny McGown for Superintendent of the Year

Approved competitive compensation for all Klein ISD Employees

Supported accelerated timeline of all school safety & security projects from the successful 2022 Bond

Adopted a balanced budget which included the highly competitive employee pay package

Initiated 2022 Bond Projects for Hildebrandt Int. & Northampton Elementary

Initiated 2022 Bond Projects for Kleb Int., Doerre Int., Klein Oak HS, and Klein Cain HS

Approved new Klein ISD Chief of Police Marlon Runnels

Adopted the LOWEST tax rate in 30 YEARS!

Ronnie is a Klein High graduate He earned his BS Degree in Sports Management from Texas A&M University Ronnie is a Sr VP of

Management at Holt Lunsford Commercial He also served as a youth Bible study leader at Faithbridge Church

Cathy served at Klein Oak High as a teacher, assistant principal, and associate principal before retiring after 40 years in education Cathy graduated from The University of Texas with a degree in Education Her son is a Klein Oak grad and employee

Dustin and his wife Rebecca have two children, both who attend Klein ISD schools He works as a financial advisor Dustin also serves on the Board of the Kailee Mills Foundation and as a volunteer with the Klein Fire Department.

Doug and his wife, Ronda, have lived in the district for more than 30 years Their three children are graduates of Klein Forest Doug's granddaughter attends a Klein ISD school, and two of his children are currently educators in Klein ISD

Georgan and her husband, Tom, have lived in the district for more than 40 years Their two children graduated from Klein Forest Georgan has served Klein ISD more than 30 years as a parent volunteer and special education program director

Chris and his daughter are Klein Oak grads His son is a current Klein ISD student Chris graduated from the University of Houston with a Political Science degree and serves as the Pastor of Church Operations at Champion Forest Baptist Church

Klein ISD Alum, Klein ISD Parent & 2nd Generation Board Member

Parent of Klein ISD Grads & Klein ISD Grandparent

Klein High Alum & Parent of Klein ISD Grads

President

Klein ISD Retired Educator & Parent of Klein ISD Grad

Secretary

KleinISDParent &KleinVolunteerFirefighter

Trustee

Retired Klein ISD Educator & Parent of Klein ISD Grads

Klein Oak Alum & Klein ISD Parent