The Super Says
As summer arrives, many people imagine a break from the hustle and bustle of a busy school year. However, summer is our Super Bowl for the leadership staff at Shepherd ISD.
It’s our time to shine and lay the groundwork for another successful school year. Like the Super Bowl, preparation for the event is crucial. We are scrubbing the building clean, maintaining the facilities, repairing and painting. In addition, we are adding some flash to our professional development and leadership training.
Our planning for the upcoming year starts with reflecting on the remarkable achievements of the past school year. Shepherd ISD has so much to celebrate. For the second consecutive year, Shepherd ISD has been recognized as a Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase District. We also successfully completed the second year of our NSPIRE teaching “grow your own” program with a 100 percent success rate, with all staff returning for the upcoming year.
Our district implemented an APEX classroom setting, featuring our first APEX master teacher and three high school students qualified for the National Merit Scholars Recognition Program. A high school student was elected as a Texas FFA State Officer for the first time in our history and a SHS theater student advanced to the National Thespys Finals.
Our students earned a total of 845 Career and Technical Education certifications, and our high school football team won their first playoff game in 56 years, securing the Bi-District Championship. These are just a few of the highlights.
Despite these successes, like all Texas districts, we face budget shortfalls for the 2024-25 school year, making it challenging to replicate the results. However, our commitment to excellence still remains strong. Our district administrators and campus principals are working hard to ensure that this upcoming school year is the best yet for our students. Shepherd ISD is also in strong financial standing with 7 1/2 months of fund balance remaining and the SISD Board of Managers passed a 2 percent raise for the upcoming school year.
Even with a restricted budget, we are refining our academic baseline and creating new targeted interventions. We are also fostering a community of practice amongst campus leadership and teachers to exchange ideas, share successes, and discuss challenges. This professional network aims to inspire innovation and provide valuable insights on common issues in the education sector.
Additionally, we are assessing student and school performance to identify trends and areas for improvement. This data-driven approach will inform our decision-making and help us develop strategies to reduce achievement gaps. Upcoming in the new school year is our “Growing Leaders” program which aims to build a classroom-to-office pipeline within our school district.
Effective communication within the district is also crucial. We are committed to keeping our school community informed and engaged through regular newsletters, online platforms, social media, and other means. Stay tuned to future updates about strategic planning, long-range facilities review, and school calendars.
As we move forward, the dedication and hard work of our leadership team during the summer months will set the stage for another year of excellence at Shepherd ISD. Together, we will continue to strive for success, ensuring that our students receive the highest quality education possible.
Dr. Jason Hewitt is Superintendent of Shepherd Independent School District.
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