January is School Board Recognition Month in Texas and Ector County ISD is celebrating its trustees for their dedication and commitment to the district and its students.
The theme of this year’s School Board Recognition Month is Forward, Together, which highlights the collaboration among school leadership, teachers, parents, and community on behalf of students, a news release said.
“School board members are volunteers, so it is important to recognize their selfless efforts and the hard work they put in to making our district a success,” ECISD Superintendent of Schools Scott Muri said. “Our trustees certainly live out this year’s theme ‘Forward, Together.’”
ECISD’s school board spent more than a year working with school district employees, business leaders, and community members developing a strategic plan. Now in its third year, that plan has led to a number of improvements like:
- Overall academic growth has increased from 59/F to 85/B in three years.
- The number of schools earning an A rating more than doubled from 3 to 7.
- The number of B-rated schools doubled from 6 to 12.
- In 2019, half of the schools were rated D or F; today, half of the schools are rated A or a B.
- 5 schools grew from an F to a B.
- 18 schools showed double-digit gains.
- 3 of our 5 high schools are rated A.
- 5 of 6 middle schools are rated B or C.
- Kindergarten readiness increased to 57% — a 24-point gain over the past two years.
- STAAR/EOC scores improved in almost every area.
- College, Career, Military Readiness has increased to 65%, equaling the state’s percentage, and reaching the strategic plan goal two years early.
- ECISD’s graduation rate has improved to 85.5%, the highest in over 20 years.
- Teacher vacancies have been reduced from more than 350 (18%) to 40 (1%).
- ECISD offers the highest starting teacher salary in the region ($58,750).
- Teachers are offered opportunities for leadership, career-advancement, and additional pay through Teacher Incentive Allotment, Opportunity Culture, and National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification.
- These incentives combined with the starting salary and other stipends give ECISD teachers the opportunity to earn more than $100,000 in a year.
“Our trustees come from different backgrounds and experiences,” Muri said. “However, they all have a common vision and set of goals for the children of Ector County. They want every student to have access to a great education that prepares them for whatever path they choose to pursue after graduation.”
Dan Troxell, executive director of the Texas Association of School Boards, applauded the efforts of trustees in providing leadership and good governance so that school districts can focus on educating the 5.4 million public schoolchildren in their care.
“Texas school boards are critical to the success of students and the future of Texas,” Troxell said. “Boards lead their districts in the right direction, providing oversight, setting goals, overseeing the budget, and selecting and evaluating the superintendent. These volunteers serve for the betterment of their local schools and communities.”
Throughout January, schools will take the opportunity to thank school board members in a variety of ways and those efforts will culminate at the school board meeting on Tuesday, January 17.
Board members serving Ector County ISD are: Steve Brown, Position 5, board president; Carol Gregg, Position 1, board vice president; Chris Stanley, Position 4, board secretary; Delma Abalos, Position 2; Donna C. Smith, Position 3; Tammy Hawkins, Position 6; and Dennis Jones, Position 7.
Learn more about ECISD’s school board at www.ectorcountyisd.org and more about school board service at tasb.org
