area superintendent of secondary academic programs in Denton ISD. He has been an educator for 27 years.
Letters to the Editor
Socorro ISD Monica Castro, who served as an assistant principal at Americas High School since 2013, is now principal of Puentes Middle School. She is a 22-year employee of the district.
Now leading Vista Del Sol Elementary School as principal is Cynthia Velasquez. A graduate of Socorro High, she was an assistant principal of the Bill Sybert School since 2012. She earned her bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at El Paso and her master’s degree in education from the same institution.
Spurger ISD Kendall Smith, former high school principal
in Overton ISD, is now superintendent of Spurger ISD.
Tyler ISD A new head football coach has been named for Lee High School. Clayton George comes to Tyler from Carroll ISD, where he was assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Southlake Carroll High School.
Wills Point ISD Scott Caloss, new district superintendent,
most recently held the same position in Poth ISD. He joined the district with 23 years of experience as an educator, having received his bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s University and his master’s degree in educational administration from Texas Woman’s University. He is at work on a doctorate in educational leadership from The University of Texas. ◄
CORRECTION The new superintendent of Midlothian ISD was incorrectly identified in the January/ February 2016 issue. Midlothian ISD’s superintendent is Lane Ledbetter. Texas School Business regrets the error.
> Continued from page 17
into other career fields, but all will retain that feeling of accomplishment, teamwork and how their skills were shaped by talented people who care deeply about the potential of our youth. It is the power to transform that each educator holds within his or her heart that makes for positive, lasting change in students. On behalf of the Uvalde Consolidated School District Board of Trustees, administration, teachers, staff, students and parents, we stand united as we say thank you for this recognition. Jeanette Ball Superintendent Uvalde CISD
Bragging Rights December 2015 It has been so exciting to be spotlighted in the Ninth Annual Bragging Rights issue. Not only did it create much excitement and pride among our staff and community, the spotlight has served to increase community awareness of these special programs in our district and has increased membership in our Watch D.OG.S. program. The recognition was the subject of a front-page story in our local newspaper, which, in turn, piqued the interest of more dads in our community to become members of the Watch D.OG.S. program. Our Facebook posting of the Bragging Rights recognition resulted in one of the highest number of likes and views of any Facebook posting this school year. More than anything else, though, being selected as a Bragging Rights school district has reiterated the importance of parent involvement in our schools. It validates our decisions to bring these particular programs to our students. It was great to celebrate this recognition at faculty meetings and at our December school board meeting, where each board member was presented with a copy of the issue.
Bragging Rights December 2015 Receiving the Ninth Annual Bragging Rights issue (December 2015), seeing our school’s name featured on the cover and then reading the wonderfully written article is a memory I will treasure always. Although I am proud of our Phenomenal Phridays program and I see the students shine through their participation, never did I dream our small, rural school would actually be honored in this prestigious publication. Our administration has received so many congratulatory emails, texts and phone calls from colleagues and friends. Our staff and school board are thrilled with the recognition, and, honestly, I am too! At our next showcase, our students will learn of this honor, and I am sure they will join us in our excitement. Please know this award is a highlight for our relatively “young” high school, as our first senior class graduated in 1998. Please accept our appreciation and gratitude with the realization that with this recognition comes the opportunity for other districts to tailor a similar yet unique program. We cannot contain our excitement that students across Texas may receive this same opportunity. Many school districts have visited our campus, and I feel certain many will continue to contact us. We thank you for choosing our program because it really is PHENOMENAL! On behalf of the students, staff, administration and school board members of CHHS and CHISD, thank you! Kathi Burney Secondary assistant principal Chapel Hill High School Chapel Hill ISD
◄
It’s so great to see your school district’s name on the front of a professional magazine! You can’t help but smile with pride. Shirley Dupree HR and communications director Huffman ISD
Texas School Business MARCH/APRIL 2016
21