PfISD Administration Report

The Pflugerville ISD Fine Arts Department is dedicated to cultivating a culture of artistic excellence, fostering student creativity, and enriching the educational experience through comprehensive fine arts education. Our programs empower students to develop essential skills in music, theater, dance, and visual arts, preparing them for future academic and professional success. This report provides an overview of our department’s current standing, student participation statistics, program achievements, and district-wide events that continue to elevate the fine arts experience within our schools and community.

Fine Arts Disciplines and Enrollment Data

PfISD Fine Arts continues to experience strong participation across all disciplines, reflecting the district’s commitment to fostering artistic talent at all grade levels. Our programs serve thousands of students, equipping them with creative problem-solving skills, teamwork, discipline, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Band:

• Middle School: 1,531 students

• High School: 895 students

Choir:

• Middle School: 552 students

• High School: 408 students

Dance:

• Middle School: 811 students

• High School: 632 students

Theater:

• Middle School: 1,111 students

• High School: 838 students

Visual Arts:

• Middle School: 2,028 students

• High School: 2,800 students

Color Guard:

• 137 high school students

Elementary Music and Visual Arts:

• Over 10,731 students served

These numbers highlight the vital role fine arts education plays in shaping well-rounded,

engaged, and academically successful students across the district.

Fine Arts Successes

PfISD Fine Arts students continue to excel at local, regional, state, and national levels. Their outstanding achievements underscore the district’s commitment to artistic excellence and the impact of a strong fine arts curriculum.

UIL State Marching Band

• Hendrickson High School represented PfISD at the prestigious UIL State Marching Band Competition, a testament to the dedication and discipline of our students and directors.

TMEA All-State Recognitions

• Eight PfISD students from Hendrickson and Weiss High Schools earned All-State honors, showcasing their exceptional musical talent at the highest level.

TDEA All-State Dance

• Four outstanding dancers from Pflugerville, Connally, Hendrickson, and Weiss High Schools were recognized at the Texas Dance Educators Association (TDEA) All-State event, exemplifying technical and artistic excellence.

Heller Awards for Young Artists – 2024 Nominations

Connally High School: Best Supporting Male Role

• Weiss High School: Best Choreography, Best Lighting Design, Best Costume Design, Best Supporting Female Role, Best Actress, Best Ensemble, Best Production

• Hendrickson High School: Best Choreography, Best Lighting Design, Best Orchestra, Best Technical Execution, Best Supporting Actor, Best Direction

• Additional nominations included recognition for Stage Manager, Student Marketing Design, and Student Scenic Design, highlighting the comprehensive theatrical education offered at PfISD.

State VASE (Visual Arts Scholastic Event) Achievements

• Two Weiss High School students received top honors at the State VASE competition, reinforcing PfISD’s leadership in visual arts education and creativity.

Fine Arts District Events

PfISD hosts a wide array of district-wide fine arts events that provide students with opportunities to showcase their talents, gain performance experience, and engage with the community. These events serve as vital platforms for artistic expression and celebration:

Pfestival of Bands

• A district-wide showcase of our talented band students. Middle School One Act Play, providing young actors a stage to develop and hone their theatrical skills.

Uni-Pfied Dance Showcase

• Celebrating dance programs across the district in a unifying performance event.

Color Guard Showcase

• A platform for the precision, artistry, and athleticism of our color guard teams.

Elementary Fine Arts Showcase

• Highlighting the creative works and performances of our youngest students.

Tenor Bass Choir Showcase

• A dedicated performance event for our tenor and bass choral students.

Central Office Visual Art Display

• Featuring student artwork in district administrative buildings to promote creativity and recognition.

Austin Bergstrom Airport Art Display

• Providing a public platform for PfISD student artists at a high-traffic venue.

Secondary Visual Arts Gallery

• An exhibition space showcasing middle and high school student artwork.

Music Memory Contest

• A unique competition promoting music history and literacy among students.

Fine Arts Signing Day

• Recognizing students who commit to continuing their fine arts education at the collegiate level.

Visual Arts

Forty-five pieces of student artwork were selected from K-12 students across the district to be displayed at the Education Foundation Gala on February 22. Three students from Hendrickson High School created live artwork at this event.

32,518 artworks were registered throughout the state of Texas this VASE season, including 184 from Pflugerville ISD. 121 PfISD artworks received the top rating of 4 at the regional event on March 1. Two PfISD artworks were among the top 7% at the regional event and advanced to State VASE. Congrats to Weiss High School artists Levi Harmon and Tarrance Washington, whose artwork will be on display at State VASE on April 25, 2025 at San Marcos High School!

Six of our Pflugerville ISD art programs joined over 850 others celebrating TAEA's Big Art Day on March 6th! Projects included a color run at Pflugerville Elementary, a collaborative mural at Spring Hill, a neon art show at Copperfield Elementary, chalk word art at Kelly Lane Middle School, "Be the I in Kind" photo op at Connally High School, and a printmaking festival at Hendrickson High School.

Hendrickson High School art student Hannah Saad’s artwork was selected to be displayed at the Bob Bullock Museum during the month of March as part of the Youth Art Month Spring Exhibition. Anyone can view this art show for free in the 3rd floor rotunda during March.

Choir

Congratulations to our Pflugerville ISD middle school choir programs who earned awards for their stage performance, sight reading, or both at the UIL Concert and Sight Reading Evaluation: Bohls Middle School, Cele Middle School, and Pflugerville Middle School each earned 2 Sweepstakes trophies; Westview Middle School earned a plaque for concert, and Kelly Lane Middle School earned 3 sight reading plaques.

District-Wide Elementary Keyboarding Contest: Building Essential Skills for the Future

The Elementary Instructional Technology team is excited to host the district-wide Keyboarding Contest, engaging students in grades PK-5 across all 22 elementary campuses. This initiative encourages students to enhance their typing accuracy and speed, reinforcing essential skills that support writing proficiency across all content areas. With a collective 240,671 minutes logged on Learning.com, students are actively developing their keyboarding fluency, which is critical for digital literacy, communication, and academic success. By fostering these foundational skills early, we are preparing students for the increasing demands of a technology-driven learning environment. We look forward to celebrating their progress and achievements!

Technology Applications

The Elementary Instructional Technology team has introduced the Technology Applications class at Windermere Elementary, serving over 700 students in grades K-5. This initiative is designed to equip students with foundational 21st-century skills that will support their academic growth and future success.

The curriculum will focus on digital citizenship, computational thinking, keyboarding, and essential technology skills, ensuring students develop the knowledge and competencies necessary to navigate an increasingly digital world. Through structured, hands-on learning experiences, students will enhance their problem-solving abilities, digital literacy, and responsible technology use.

This program represents a strategic step toward integrating technology into elementary education, aligning with district goals to foster engagement, innovation, and digital readiness. We look forward to the impact this initiative will have on student learning and preparedness for future academic and professional pathways.

Robotics and ELA

Robots in ELA? Absolutely! Ms. Huber and Ms. Jones’ 6th Grade ELA classes, approximately 250 students, at Cele Middle School recently put their critical thinking and creativity to the test with Cubelets — modular robotics blocks that bring learning to life! These hands-on tools allowed students to experiment with engineering concepts while strengthening their problem-solving and collaboration skills. As they combined different Cubelets, they discovered how each unique block contributed to movement, sensing, and communication, reinforcing critical thinking in a fun and interactive way.

By integrating robotics into their ELA classroom, students engaged in discussions, made predictions, and reflected on their learning — bridging STEM concepts with literacy skills. This dynamic activity sparked curiosity, creativity, and teamwork, making for an unforgettable learning experience!

The Multilingual Department continues to ensure the success of our Dual Language Program by utilizing multiple measures to assess its effectiveness. One such measure is the AAPPL (ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages), which evaluates language proficiency for both emergent bilingual and non-emergent bilingual students participating in the program.

As of March 10, an impressive 397 5th-grade students have completed the AAPPL assessment. Among them, 385 students, an outstanding 97%, have successfully met the proficiency standard required to earn one high school Spanish Language Other Than English (LOTE) credit. This remarkable achievement not only reflects the strength of our Dual Language instructional framework but also provides students with the opportunity to enroll in advanced Spanish courses at the middle school level, should they choose to do so.

Beyond academic advancement, this accomplishment represents significant cost savings for the district. By earning high school credit at an earlier stage, these students collectively generate an estimated savings of $464,986 for PfISD, a testament to the program’s efficiency and long-term benefits. (Calculation based on recent Census data: $9,827 annual cost per student in Texas; divided by 8 courses per year, equating to $1,228.38 per class.)

The results of these fifth graders underscore the success of PfISD’s Dual Language Program in fostering bilingual proficiency, academic acceleration, and financial efficiency while empowering students to engage in rigorous language learning experiences. We celebrate the hard work of our students, educators, and the Multilingual Department in achieving these exceptional outcomes.

We are thrilled to announce that PfISD has been awarded two competitive grants from TEA as part of the LASO 3 Award Cycle, bringing in over half a million dollars to support our schools!

The district has been awarded a $370,000 School Action Fund grant to support a planning year in 2025-26 for Dessau Elementary and Timmerman Elementary as we prepare to implement the Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) model. ACE is a research-based school transformation model that focuses on strategic staffing, strong leadership, high expectations, and intensive academic and social-emotional supports to drive rapid student achievement gains. This funding will allow us to work with a TEA-approved expert in school transformation to ensure a strong, well-planned launch for both campuses in the 2026-2027 school year.

In addition, PfISD has been awarded a $146,000 Instructional Leadership grant to build and strengthen instructional leadership capacity at four of our schools: Spring Hill Elementary, Pflugerville Middle, Westview Middle, and Connally High School. With these funds, we will partner with a TEA-approved provider to deliver high-impact training and one-on-one coaching focused on key instructional leadership practices, including:

• Building strong school-wide culture routines

• Effectively implementing high-quality instructional materials (HQIM)

• Providing meaningful observation feedback

• Using data-driven instruction to improve student outcomes

These incredible opportunities will help drive our district’s ongoing commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. We are excited to begin this journey. In the coming school year, we will be seeking community, teacher, and staff input to ensure the grant funds support and enhance all of our stakeholders. Most importantly, we look forward to seeing the positive impact on our student outcomes, from academic achievement to their sense of belonging and engagement in PfISD’s successful, thriving schools!

In the Office of School Leadership (OSL), we take immense pride in our campus leaders who exemplify the core competencies outlined in our Leadership Profile. The Principal's Spotlight serves as a platform to recognize these exceptional individuals, highlighting their unwavering commitment to our students, staff, and community.

This month, we celebrate leaders like Dr. Lacey Ajibola, Principal of Dessau Middle School, who fosters a positive climate and culture. We honor leaders such as Daniela Guardiola, Principal of Dessau Elementary, and William Jaramillo, Principal of Westview Middle School, whose strategic focus is on academic excellence and personal growth among students and staff.

Our Leadership Profile, developed collaboratively by over 75 campus, department, and central office leaders during the 2023-24 school year, identifies the key competencies essential for PfISD leaders. This profile guides our hiring, evaluation, and promotion processes, ensuring that our leaders possess the attributes necessary to drive student success and uphold the district's values.

Pflugerville ISD is taking a bold step in preparing students for college and career success with the launch of its first-ever Career & Technical Education (CTE) Center, opening in Fall 2027. Thanks to the 2022 Bond, this center will expand access to high-quality programs, industry certifications, and workforce-aligned pathways, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to explore, prepare for, and thrive in their future careers.

The Office of School Leadership and CTE Department are actively preparing high school leaders and staff to align programs, staffing, schedules, and transportation for a seamless transition. The goal? To remove barriers and provide every student with access to in-demand career pathways.

PfISD currently offers 21 programs of study, including specialized academies like Advanced Manufacturing and Automotive, which provide industry-recognized certifications. Students can also earn college credits, pursue internships, and gain real-world experience through P-TECH programs in Cybersecurity and Teaching, leading to associate degrees before graduation.

CTE Director Traci Hendrix highlights the district’s vision:

“The CTE Center is more than just a building—it’s a commitment to expanding student choice and empowering them to shape their future. Through strong industry partnerships, we are preparing students for high-skill careers that will strengthen both families and the local economy.”

By reimagining education from PK-12, PfISD is creating a future-forward approach to workforce readiness. Whether through early career exploration, industry certifications, or hands-on learning experiences, the district is committed to making Pfuture Readiness a reality for all students.

Stay tuned as we build toward this exciting new chapter in PfISD!

Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, Connally High School will launch a 9th Grade Academy, designed to help freshmen transition smoothly into high school. This initiative will provide targeted academic, social, and emotional support, ensuring students build a strong foundation for success.

Research shows that 9th grade is a pivotal year—students who struggle early are at higher risk of falling behind. Connally’s Freshman Academy will tackle this challenge by creating a smaller learning community within the school, fostering stronger student-teacher connections, personalized support, and structured guidance on graduation requirements, career pathways, and academic success.

What Makes the Freshman Academy Different?

• Dedicated teachers and counselors focused solely on 9th graders

• Smaller class sizes for more individualized attention

• Social-emotional learning (SEL) to develop communication, resilience, and self-management skills

• A house system to build community, encourage teamwork, and boost school pride

• Early career exposure through guest speakers, hands-on learning, and industry partnerships

Building a Supportive Culture

Students will be placed in smaller cohort groups to create a built-in support network. Through mentoring, team-building activities, and academic competitions, they will form meaningful connections with peers and teachers, leading to better attendance, engagement, and academic performance.

A Commitment to Student Success

Under Principal Daniel Garcia’s leadership, the academy will focus on data-driven instruction, teacher collaboration, and strong parent involvement to reinforce learning beyond the classroom.

By investing in freshmen from day one, Connally High School and Pflugerville ISD are setting students up for success—not just in high school, but for life. This initiative is more than just a program; it’s a commitment to ensuring every student has the tools, support, and opportunities they need to thrive.

The annual Pflugerville ISD/Aramark Junior Chef Recipe Contest reached an exciting milestone in February as finalists' recipes were sampled and selected for the final round. Local celebrities, including district leaders, community members, and City of Pflugerville representatives, participated in the event, helping to celebrate the culinary talents of our young chefs.

The winner will be recognized at the April Pflugerville ISD Board meeting, where the winning recipe will be showcased. This year’s final round featured three talented PfISD student chefs, whose creativity and skills were highlighted throughout the competition. The winner was Marie Arnold, 4th Grade student at Rowe Lane, with her dish: Hawaiian Salmon Bowl.

Additionally, the annual Aramark/PfISD Junior Chef Cookbook—featuring the students’ innovative recipes—will be published this Spring, celebrating their hard work and culinary achievements.

General Fund

The school district’s general fund revenue for February was $40.1 million, bringing the year-to-date total to 86% of the budgeted $289 million. This reflects a 12% increase compared to the same period last year, with the majority of revenue coming from tax collections.

On the expenditure side, February spending totaled $22.8 million, bringing year-to-date expenditures to 47% of the total budgeted $297.5 million. This percentage is consistent with the same period last year.

Food Service

The Food Service department generated $1.6 million in revenue, reaching 71% of its $15.3 million budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Expenditures totaled $1.6 million, representing 62% of the department’s total budgeted expenditures of $16.2 million.

Debt Service

In February, the Debt Service Fund received $15.7 million in revenue, primarily from tax collections and interest earnings. The district also successfully processed $55.4 million in scheduled debt service payments. The next scheduled debt service payment is set for August.

Tax Collections

Local tax collections have reached 96.93% of the total $290.8 million levy, reflecting a slight decrease of 1% compared to the same period last year. Any unpaid 2024 tax bills are now classified as delinquent, and the District will receive additional revenue from penalties and interest associated with these overdue payments.

2008 Bond: The remaining balance is $368.7 thousand, earmarked for technology projects.

2018 Bond: Approximately $15 million is still available for general project use. This includes $3.7 million in unspent interest revenue and $858 thousand from COVID reimbursements, designated for technology projects. An additional $77,700 was generated from the sale of surplus school buses and will be used to support transportation needs.

Meal Participation

Aramark's promotions, catering efforts, and campus collaborations have contributed to an increase of 142 additional meals served per day compared to the same period last year. While average daily attendance (ADA) has presented challenges, the department has focused on enhancing meal offerings to drive participation.

Notable menu additions include greater utilization of whole muscle chicken products in secondary schools and the introduction of grilled cheese sandwiches. Additionally, the number of lunch entrée options has expanded across all grade levels:

• Elementary schools: Six entrée choices

• Middle schools: Ten entrée choices

• High schools: Over twenty entrée choices per campus

This expansion is further complemented by rotating meal concepts and “Build Your Own” stations, providing students with greater variety and flexibility in their dining experience.

Grilled Cheese Now Offered Daily

As part of Pflugerville ISD’s commitment to expanding meal choices and supporting students, grilled cheese sandwiches are now included as a regular daily menu item. Additionally, they are offered alongside the traditional cheese sandwich as an alternative entree for students with negative lunch balances. While the cheese sandwich remains a popular option, the addition of grilled cheese provides a warm and appealing alternative for students.

Since the grilled cheese option was introduced on January 22, 2025, through February 2025, students have selected a total of 15,176 grilled cheese and cheese sandwiches, with the following breakdown:

• 8,871 grilled cheese sandwiches selected (58%)

• 6,305 cheese sandwiches selected (42%)

For students receiving alternative meals due to negative balances, 1,621 meals have been provided, with:

• 34% (551) choosing grilled cheese

• 66% (1,070) selecting the cheese sandwich

The introduction of grilled cheese complements the existing menu and ensures that students have access to a satisfying and nutritious meal, regardless of their account status. Pflugerville ISD continues to seek ways to enhance school meal offerings while maintaining accessibility for all students.

Summer Meals Preparation

Each year, the Food Service Department collaborates with the Curriculum Department and Support Services to designate summer school campuses as meal locations. The goal is to qualify campuses for universal free breakfast and lunch based on socioeconomic criteria. Once finalized, these locations will provide complimentary breakfast and lunch to any child 18 years old and younger, ensuring continued access to nutritious meals throughout the summer months.

Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Update for 2025-26

The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a federal USDA program that enables qualifying campuses to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, regardless of economic status. Families do not submit Free & Reduced-Price Meal applications; instead, the district collects economic data using socio-economic forms.

Currently, seven PfISD campuses participate in CEP:

• Barron ES

• Delco ES

• Dessau ES

• Northwest ES

• River Oaks ES

• Dessau MS

• Westview MS

For the 2025-26 school year, five additional campuses have been identified for participation:

• Copperfield ES

• Spring Hill ES

• Timmerman ES

• Wieland ES

• Connally HS

PfISD remains committed to expanding access to nutritious meals while ensuring financial feasibility under the CEP program. The Board will finalize campus selections at the April 2025 meeting, and the final outcome will depend on Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) approval and legislative action.

Pflugerville ISD hosted a Guest Educator Orientation on February 19, 2025, welcoming more than 50 new guest educators to our district. These dedicated individuals will play a vital role in ensuring continuity of learning whenever a classroom teacher is absent.

As we approach the final stretch of the school year, having highly qualified and prepared guest educators is more important than ever. With end-of-year assessments fast approaching, maintaining a consistent and structured learning environment is crucial for student success. We are grateful for the commitment of these educators and their willingness to step in and support our students and teachers during this critical time.

Pflugerville ISD’s Human Resources Department was excited to offer dedicated certification support sessions to educators who are in the final stages of completing their teacher certification. These sessions are designed to provide valuable guidance, resources, and encouragement to help educators successfully navigate the certification process.

During the professional development day on February 16, 2025, eligible employees participated in an engaging and informative session focused on equipping them with the essential fundamentals and resources needed to meet all certification requirements. The session featured interactive Q&A discussions, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and valuable networking with fellow educators who are also on the certification path.

By fostering a supportive environment and ensuring our educators have access to the tools they need, PfISD remains committed to empowering its teachers and strengthening the quality of instruction across the district.

A meeting was held with the Aspiring Leadership Academy and Level One Leadership Academy, a program designed to support current Pflugerville ISD staff who are eager to pursue continuous learning and professional growth. These academies are specifically tailored for individuals who have a strong interest in advancing their careers by serving in campus and/or district leadership positions within PfISD.

During the meeting, participants engaged in discussions focused on leadership development, best practices in education administration, and the essential skills needed to effectively lead in a dynamic school environment. These academies provide aspiring leaders with mentorship opportunities, networking with experienced administrators, and hands-on experiences that prepare them for future leadership roles.

By investing in the professional development of its employees, PfISD continues to cultivate a strong pipeline of future leaders who are dedicated to fostering student success and strengthening the district’s commitment to excellence in education.

The Secret Shopper Experience Initiative, led by the Communications Department, was designed to enhance customer service and school climate by gathering real-time visitor insights. Trained individuals visited campuses unannounced, assessing key areas such as front office responsiveness, signage clarity, inclusivity, and overall customer service quality. The goal was to identify strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring that every interaction reflects a welcoming and supportive environment.

Survey results highlighted both positive aspects and challenges. Strengths included staff friendliness (97% positive feedback), front office efficiency (88% assisted within a minute), and a welcoming atmosphere (91% positive). However, areas needing improvement include email responsiveness (71% reported no or unhelpful responses), signage accessibility (41% noted issues), and overall cleanliness (44% saw room for improvement). Addressing these concerns will refine communication, staff training, and customer service practices.

To drive long-term improvements, the PfISD Human Resources team is launching the Pflugerville Pfriendly Program, focusing on creating a culture of exceptional service. The initiative includes establishing customer service standards, a district-wide pledge, training programs, and recognition awards for outstanding service. Continuous feedback through quarterly secret shopper visits and stakeholder surveys will guide ongoing enhancements. Staff and community members are encouraged to join the Pfriendly Task Force to support this mission of making every campus interaction positive and engaging.

The WHS Weight Room project (Bond 2022) has officially broken ground. The construction contractor has prepared the building subgrade and electrical conduits. Construction is expected to reach substantial completion by the end of Summer 2025.

Paragon Sports Constructors was approved by the Board of Trustees to upgrade the 10-year-old turf at both Pflugerville and Connally High School stadiums. Paragon has begun providing samples of potential designs, which are pending final approval from district and campus staff members. We are very excited about the potential new designs coming to our high school stadiums!

The demolition phase of the future Learning and Technology Center is complete. Final permitting has been approved, and the remodel process will begin soon. The construction schedule calls for a 10-month timeline, with an expected move-in date of Winter 2025.

Now that renovation permits have been approved by the City of Pflugerville, our attention turns to exterior upgrades, which will likely trigger additional site permitting. These new upgrades will potentially take upwards of 10-12 months for permit approval and will be considered as the second phase of renovations to the facility. Staff are preparing site plans for the expansion of the warehouse, updates to the marquee and awnings, and the installation of a sidewalk connecting the administration building and LTC. Additional light poles will also be installed to enhance security in the evenings.

We continue to make additional progress toward modernizing Connally High School. At a recent meeting with campus administrators, architects from the DLR group presented construction elevations for the Phase 1 remodeling. These areas include restroom renovations, gymnasium bleacher replacement and window additions, weight room expansion and remodeling, and skylight additions.

Plans for Phase 1 have been presented to the district and released for bidding, with construction expected to start in Summer 2025. In the coming months, we will begin hosting a series of modernization meetings at CHS. A committee of students, staff, and community members will guide the district through the establishment of a vision for the future of the Connally High School facility and site.

• Safety/Security

• Planned/Bid Process:

• Badges/Access Control Additions (Bond 2022)

• Alarms/Intrusion Detection (Bond 2022)

• Awarded/Ongoing:

• Bi-Directional Antenna System (Grant Funded)
  
  

• HVAC

• Project Kick-Off Phase:

• Wieland Elementary (Major)

• Kelly Lane Middle School (Major)

• Westview Middle School (Minor - Completion from 2024)

• PHS (Minor - Auxiliary Buildings / Control System Consolidation)

• To Be Awarded (March 2025):

• Windermere Elementary (Major)

• Northwest Elementary (Major)

• Provan Opportunity Center (Major)
  
  

• Renovations

• Project Kick-Off Phase:

• Rowe Lane Elementary

• Dessau Middle School

• Highland Park Elementary

• Park Crest Middle School

• Connally High School

• Ongoing:

• PfISD Learning and Technology Center (LTC)

• Renovation Tentatively Scheduled - March 2025




• New Construction

• Ongoing

• Weiss High School Weight Room (Fall 2025 Completion)




• Technology:

• To Be Awarded (March 2025):

• Projector replacements for Elementary Campuses (Whiteboards)

• 2025 Summer Computer Replacement Cycle

• Project Kick-Off Phase:

• Projector replacements for Weiss High School

• Connally High School Modernization - Network Cabling

• New Data Center Equipment - Learning and Technology Center

Throughout the past year, the Pflugerville ISD Communications team has demonstrated excellence in school public relations, earning multiple state awards for their outstanding work in keeping the community informed and engaged. Their dedication to creative storytelling, branding, and strategic outreach was recognized by the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) with an impressive collection of honors:

Gold Awards:

• Social Media Campaign:

• #PfridayPfive

• PfISD Graduation 2024

• Logo, Trademark, Symbol:

• Bohls Bronco

• Hidden Lake ES Narwhal

• May the Pforce Be With You

• Pflugerville HS Panther

• Advertisement (Best of Category Winner):

• Join Our Pfamily

Bronze Award:

• Published Print Ad:

• PfISDeveloping Leaders for the Future

Crystal Certificate of Merit:

• Photography Portfolio:

• PfISD in Photos

The PfISD Community Relations team continues to showcase dedication and creativity in sharing the incredible work happening in our #Pfamily. Their efforts make a lasting impact, strengthening the district’s connection with students, families, and the greater community.

Over the past two months, the Communications Department has intensified its efforts to increase student enrollment, educator recruitment, and community engagement. By leveraging a combination of email campaigns, social media and Google ads, YouTube content, and targeted outreach to prospective educators, PfISD has expanded its visibility and strengthened its connections with families and job seekers alike.

Pre-K Enrollment
One of the most successful initiatives during this period was the Pre-K enrollment campaign, which focused on engaging families early in the process to ensure they remained connected to the district. The department created a Pre-K sign-up form, which has already gathered over 300 interested families. To maintain engagement, a second email was sent on March 3 to 230 recipients, achieving an impressive 90.2% open rate and 96 clicks. This level of engagement reinforces the importance of building relationships with families early, preventing them from exploring alternative education options outside of PfISD. Additionally, we posted a Pre-K promotional video to social media.

Pflugerville ISD is committed to building a strong future for our students, staff, and community. To ensure our district moves forward with a clear vision and priorities, a dedicated Strategic Plan Visioning Task Force—made up of parents, staff, and students—met nine times from Fall 2024 through Spring 2025 to develop key Strategic Plan Findings and Directions for PfISD.

After months of collaboration, data analysis, and community input, the PfISD Board of Trustees approved these guiding principles on February 20, 2025. This approval marks a major milestone in shaping the future of our schools, ensuring that district priorities align with the needs of our students and the community.

With this foundation in place, PfISD is now moving into the next phase of strategic planning, where we will refine our focus and develop actionable steps for implementation. We invite all stakeholders—students, families, staff, and community members—to provide additional input as we continue this important work.

Safety, Security & Mental Health Summit Participation and Outcomes

On Friday, Feb.28, Pflugerville ISD participated in a multi-district Safety, Security & Mental Health Summit alongside Leander ISD, Round Rock ISD, and Manor ISD. The summit was the result of three months of collaborative planning, overcoming logistical challenges to deliver a successful and impactful event.

Superintendent Dr. Shepherd, Chief of ISD Police Chief Petherbridge, Health, Safety, and Security, Executive Director Denise Petherbridge, Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Land, and Chief Communications Officer Tamra Spence represented PfISD at the summit. Trustees from each participating district served as hosts and moderators for presentations, while Superintendents and Chiefs of Police played central roles in sharing key insights and strategies.

Dr. Shepherd presented a forward-thinking approach to reframing safety and security within PfISD, detailed in his attached one-pager. His presentation highlighted the district’s current status while offering innovative solutions to enhance campus security and student well-being.

The summit attracted a diverse audience, including staff members from both the Texas House and Senate. Following the event, Dr. Shepherd and Chief Petherbridge were interviewed by two press outlets. PfISD’s proactive leadership in safety discussions was prominently featured in media coverage, reinforcing the district's position as a leader in these vital conversations.

Additionally, the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Governmental Relations (GR) team was present, where PfISD received an informal invitation to testify on SB 260 the following Tuesday.

Special thanks are extended to the PfISD administration for their preparation and data contributions that ensured both a successful summit and effective testimony. Appreciation is also extended to Officer Wynn and Mr. Joseph Randel, Director of Facility Rentals at the Capitol, for their collaboration and support during the event. This summit exemplifies the power of coordination and relationship-building in advancing the district’s safety, security, and mental health initiatives, as we as all other legislative priorities.

Pledge Leaders

Students from Jessica Carpenter Elementary will lead the pledge at the March 27 Board Meeting:

• Siya Radadiya

• Akshat Srivastava

• Noah Chavez

• Aria Sprung

• Harold Michael

• Mason Engel

• Ariana Ivy

• Aubrey Teeler

Employee Recognitions

🎖 Professional Employee of the Month: Maria Carmen Ruiz Alonzo, Kindergarten Teacher, River Oaks Elementary
Maria Carmen is the heart of her kindergarten team, known for her mentorship, teamwork, and leadership. She shares innovative ideas, supports her colleagues, and creates a warm and engaging learning environment for students. Her positivity and dedication inspire both students and educators districtwide.

🎖 Support Employee of the Month: Paula Dean, Education Associate, Life Skills, Hendrickson High School
Paula is a collaborative and reliable team member who brings a positive attitude to every challenge. Her strong work ethic and dedication to special education help create a supportive and productive classroom environment. She leads by example and is an invaluable asset to the HHS Special Education team.

🎖 Guest Educator of the Month: Tanda Maxwell, Mott Elementary
Tanda is a standout team player in the Essential Academics classroom, providing seamless support to students and staff. Her enthusiasm and positive energy make her a beloved presence, creating a welcoming environment where students feel safe and motivated to learn.

🏆 Jared Stevenson Named TEPSAN of the Year
Jared Stevenson, Principal at Wieland Elementary, has been recognized as the 2025 Region 13 TEPSAN of the Year by the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA). TEPSA Executive Director Harley Eckhart praised Jared’s dedication and leadership in advancing education for Texas students.

📢 PfISD Communications Team Wins Big at TSPRA
The PfISD Communications Team received multiple awards at the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) Conference, celebrating their outstanding work in keeping the community informed.

🏅 Awards Earned:
🥇 7 Gold Awards (including Best in Category)
🥉 1 Bronze Award
📸 1 Crystal Certificate of Merit for Photography Portfolio

🏆 Best in Category Award:

• Join Our Pfamily Advertisement – David Sanchez & Tamra Spence

💡 Gold Awards Highlights:

• #PfridayPfive Social Media Campaign

• PfISD Graduation 2024

• School Logos (Bohls Bronco, Hidden Lake Narwhal, May the Pforce Be With You, Pflugerville HS Panther)

The PfISD Community Relations team continues to showcase the incredible work happening across the district, strengthening the bond between schools and the community. #Pfamily

PfISD will offer a free summer school program at River Oaks Elementary for emerging bilingual students entering kindergarten or first grade in the fall. This program focuses on language development and essential academic skills to help students succeed.

Program Details

📅 Dates: June 2 - June 26 (Monday-Thursday)
⏰ Time: 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
🏫 Location: River Oaks Elementary
🍎 Meals & Transportation: Provided
📚 Instructional Hours: 120 total hours

Students will receive personalized instruction to build language skills while meeting academic standards. At the end of the program, parents will receive a progress report, and students' new teachers will get updates to support their learning in the 2025-2026 school year. Progress will be measured using pre- and post-tests to track growth.