SpringBoard August 2024

The Spring ISD Board of Trustees met at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 13, in person, and streamed via video conferencing, to address items on the agenda. To watch the full video of the board meeting, click here. Please note: the Board will not be meeting in July. The next meeting is scheduled to take place Tuesday, September 10.

Earlier this year, Spring ISD celebrated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Held annually since 1992, this year’s theme was centered around AAPI and their achievements in the arts. Spring ISD students celebrated the month this year by immersing themselves in research and creativity, producing exceptional artwork and insightful papers. Their dedication and enthusiasm highlighted the cultural richness of our diverse community and deepened our collective understanding and appreciation of AAPI heritage.

At this month’s board meeting, the first place winners of the district-wide contest were recognized. Those winners included:

1st Place Art Individual

• Sander Manalo, Pre-K - 2nd, Thompson Elementary

• Abigail John, 3rd - 5th, Winship Elementary

• Rylee Loville, 6th - 8th, Bailey Middle School

• Ashley Bonailla, 9th - 12th, Spring High School

1st Place Art Group

• Monica Rodela and Sofia Montoya, 3rd - 5th, Link Elementary

• Melad Alameddine, Emily Ellis, Mateo Morales, and Dylan Talamontes, Pre-K - 2, Northgate Crossing Elementary

• Emma Stavinoha, Jayslery Hercules, Nailea Rivera, and Alejandra Hernandez, 6th - 8th, Spring Leadership Academy

1st Place Writing Individual

• Aadhana Vinoth, 3rd - 5th, Northgate Crossing Elementary

• Ne’veah Hayes, 6th - 8th, Twin Creeks Middle School

• Juarez Cienega, 9th - 12th, Spring High School

1st Place Writing Group

• Brendan Moore, Jay Moreno, and Alex Zarate, 3rd - 5th, Hirsch Elementary

Two Spring ISD schools have been named to the Educational Results Partnership (ERP) annual “Honor Roll” list. Spring Early College Academy and Roberson Middle School were both named to the list. The Honor Roll, now in its ninth year, recognizes top schools that have outperformed their peers in closing achievement gaps, particularly among higher-poverty and historically disadvantaged student populations. This year, 835 schools in Texas made the Honor Roll, or about 12 percent of all eligible schools in the state. Results are based on data of student outcomes on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) from 2019 through 2023.

Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa began her remarks by presenting a video made by the Spring ISD Communications team that highlighted the achievements of the past year in the district.

She then went on to recognize the Spring ISD Police Department's inaugural Spring ISD Police Women's Empowerment and Leadership Summit. Over 100 female police leaders gathered at the Randall Reed Center last month for the event. Hosted by the Spring ISD Police Department, this event brought together law enforcement officers from across the Houston area and out of state for a day dedicated to mentorship, leadership, and empowerment.

As she reminded everyone that the first day of the 2024-25 school year was set for the next day, she also discussed the new pre-K program for three-year-old students launching at three district elementary schools, Link, Winship, and McNabb elementary schools.

She also reminded everyone of a few upcoming dates on the calendar:

• Parent Advisory Committee Meeting, Aug. 29
• Labor Day Holiday, Sept. 2
• Fall Success Walk, Sept. 21

Assistant Secretary Rhonda Newhouse recognized Spring High School graduate Alaysha Johnson, who recently competed in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris in the 100-meter hurdles. The now 28-year-old was a Texas state champion in the 300 hurdles in 2012 while competing for Spring High School.

Vice President Winford Adams Jr. spoke about a forum held earlier in the month by Greater Houston Partnership that focused on early childhood education. He mentioned that there were representatives from across the region, including Baker Ripley, Good Reason Houston, United Way, and many others. He encouraged the district and the Board of Trustees to further engage with the GHP in the future.

Trustee Dr. Deborah Jensen discussed some of her outreach and advocacy efforts over the summer, including discussing the voucher proposal in the Texas Legislature. She mentioned the accountability requirements for public school teachers, and expressed concern over similar requirements not being mandated for non-public school teachers. She also expressed concern over safety measures and maintenance issues in non-public schools.

President Justine Durant finished remarks by thanking Dr. Jensen for advocating for students, as well as recognizing the efforts of other board members over the summer break for their efforts in advocating for Spring ISD students. She also went on to thank the Family and Community Engagement team for their efforts in post-Hurricane Beryl relief efforts, hosting three events to distribute items to community members in need. She also thanked the community partners like Representative Senfronia Thompson and former Houston mayor Sylvester Turner. Ms. Durant also thanked Spring ISD Police Chief Matthew Rodrigue for hosting the inaugural Police Women's Empowerment and Leadership Summit. She finished her remarks by mentioned that her, Vice President Adams, and Dr. Hinojosa were able to attend a leadership summit hosted by The Holdsworth Center, and that she enjoyed her experience and left motivated and excited.

The Spring ISD Board of Trustees on Tuesday voted unanimously to include a Voter Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) on the upcoming Nov. 5 ballot.

Trustees approved proposing a tax rate of $1.1569 per $100 of property valuation for the 2024 fiscal year, a 5-cent increase from the current rate. If the VATRE passes, that proposed total tax rate would cost a homeowner about $7.00 more per month on a $275,977 house. Homeowners who are receiving a homestead exemption for disability or are age 65 or older would not see an increase above their tax ceiling as a result of the VATRE.

The proposed tax rate, if approved by voters, would provide critical funding for teacher and staff salaries, including a 2% across the board raise for all staff. Starting teacher pay would increase from $60,500 to $61,500 per year, and targeted adjustments would be made for teachers with 5-15 years of experience, putting it in line with other local school districts. Additionally, the district’s remaining budget deficit would be reduced from $12 million to less than $1 million.

Spring ISD Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa emphasized the importance of the VATRE for the district's future, which, if approved, would generate about $20 million in additional revenue for Spring ISD on an annual basis.

“This increase is not just about maintaining our current level of services — it's about stabilizing our budget in a time of economic uncertainty and ensuring we can provide much-needed raises for our teachers,” Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa said. “Our educators are the backbone of our district, and we must continue attracting and retaining the best talent for our students.”

With no increase in the state’s per-student allotment since 2019, lower enrollment, lower average daily attendance, and an inflation rate that has hit 17%, many school districts, including Spring ISD, have had to look to tax increases to generate needed funding.

“I think that what we’re asking of our taxpayers is something that we shouldn’t have to ask, but we do need to make decisions in this district based on what’s best for all our students,” Trustee Winford Adams Jr said. “So we sometimes have to make tough decisions, [and] this is one of them, but I think we’re up for it."

Other items approved at the meeting include:

• Minutes from the June 4, 2024 Special Called Session, the June 6, 2024 Work Session, the June 11, 2024 Regular Meeting, and the July 1, 2024 Special Called Session.
• Renaming of the Spring ISD Family and Community Engagement Center in honor of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
• 2024 Appraisal Roll Certification
  
• Certification of Anticipated Collection Rate for Spring Independent School District
  
• Taxpayer Refunds (refunds exceeding $500)
  
• Request for Proposal (RFP) #24-028 – Emergency Generators Inspections, Maintenance and Repairs; the Board will award contracts for Emergency Generators Inspections, Maintenance and Repairs to the provider recommended by the administration.
• Request for Proposal (RFP) #24-030 Guidance, Counseling, Mental Health (Support and Intervention), Social Emotional Learning & Related Professional Development Services; the Board will award contracts for Guidance, Counseling, Mental Health (Support and Intervention), Social Emotional Learning & Related Professional Development Services to the providers recommended by the administration.
• Staff Development Waiver & Adjustment to Instructional Calendar – 7/30/2024; the Board will consider approving the 2024-2025 Staff Development Minutes Waiver & Related Modification to 2024-2025 Instructional Calendar.
• Report of Grants Awarded to Spring ISD Exceeding $10,000
• Multi-Campus Film and Vestibule Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Package 2; the Board approved the Guaranteed Maximum Price for Multi-Campus Film and Vestibule Package 2 in the amount of $3,442,647.
• Approval of a Utility Easement at Wells Middle School; the Board approved the utility easement of 0.037 acres at Gladeridge Drive at Wells Middle School to First Fruits Christian Church.
• Approval of a Waterline Easement at Springwoods Village Middle School; the Board approved a waterline easement of 0.075 acres at Springwoods Village Middle School to Northgate Crossing Municipal Utility District No. 2.
• Order and Notice of Trustee Election for Positions 6 and 7
• The Board approved of Commercial Contract – Unimproved Property for the purchase of approximately 10.20 acres of real property for future district facilities, and to delegate authority to Superintendent or designee to execute necessary documents related thereto. The property is located on Riley Fuzzel Road, near the site for the future Spring High School.