Trustees hear updates on Bond 2022 projects, strategic plan refresh
At the June school board meeting, trustees approved the selection of Dr. Troy Collavo as the new principal at Montgomery High School.
Dr. Collavo has spent the last 10 years in Cy-Fair ISD, most recently serving as the associate principal at Cypress Springs High School for the last 2 years. He has also served as an assistant principal, teacher, and coach within Cy-Fair and Tomball ISD. Dr. Collavo received his undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Texas at El Paso, where he was also an all-conference linebacker for the UTEP Miners football team. In 2021, he received his Doctorate in K-12 Professional Leadership from the University of Houston.
Dr. Collavo and his wife Haley have two children, Stella, age 7, and Owen, age 3; they are all excited to join the Montgomery ISD community.
Dr. Collavo’s leadership style is centered on collaboration and data-driven decision making, He believes in working closely with the administrative team, teachers, students, and parents to foster a safe and inspiring learning environment. His dedication to student success is evident in his use of performance data to enhance instruction. He is a strong advocate for educators, ensuring they have the necessary support to provide an excellent school experience for all students.
“Montgomery High School will continue to be a community known for success in and out of the classroom, collaboration and friendship, and understanding that the future is the brightest for those who prepare,” Dr. Collavo said. “It is and will continue to be a place where students and staff are proud to be a Montgomery Bear.”
“Dr. Collavo is a servant leader who is humble, relatable, and personable which helps him build strong relationships with staff and students,” Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin said. “At each phase of the interview process, it was clear that his commitment to listening to and supporting staff, ability to connect with students, willingness to be actively involved and engaged in the community, and his leadership experience make Dr. Collavo a great fit to lead MHS.”
The process to select the new leader for MHS included a series of interviews with district leaders and teachers from the school. Parents and staff members were also invited to participate in the search process by sharing their input via a principal’s characteristics survey.
Trustees also heard an update about the district’s strategic plan refresh.
In 2021, Montgomery ISD adopted the Pathway to Premier Strategic Plan. With the input of district stakeholders, the plan was a three-year adoption of performance objectives, KPIs, strategies and initiatives that supported the five goals of the district, in the areas of Academics, School Safety, Finance & Operations, Human Capital, and Communications.
At the beginning of 2024, MISD set out to refresh the strategic plan. Task Force Committees were again formed around each of the district’s five goals. Staff members, community members and parents volunteered to serve, and members of the original 2021 Task Forces were invited to return. Over the course of the spring semester, the task forces met several times to re-examine district functions and update district performance objectives, key performance indicators, initiatives, and strategies to ensure they are timely and relevant to the students and families MISD serves.
“With an emphasis on transparency and collaboration, the task forces evaluated what has been accomplished and what opportunities need to be explored as we move forward,” Assistant Superintendent of Student Services & Innovation, Dr. Amy Busby said. “We are grateful for the thorough, thoughtful work of the task force members and excited to share the refreshed plan with our trustees and the MISD community.”
MISD will launch the new plan at the start of the 2024-2025 school year.
Chief Facilities & Operations Officer Brad Mansfield shared an update about projects funded by the district’s 2022 bond.
Creekside Elementary, the district’s seventh PK-5 campus, and the Phase 2 addition at Lake Creek High School are both nearing completion, on-target to open for the 2024-2025 school year.
“We are very excited to share these bond-funded projects that our community made possible,” Mansfield said. “Students attending our new Creekside Elementary are going to love the safe, innovative learning environment that will be ready for them when we start school in August, and the expansion at Lake Creek is going to make a tremendous positive impact on our students and staff at that campus. We can’t wait for our students and families to see these new spaces.”
New energy efficient lighting and upgraded public announcement systems are being installed at Madeley Ranch, Stewart Creek, and Lone Star Elementary schools this summer. This is the first phase of renovations at these three campuses, with more planned for the summer of 2025. At Montgomery High School, first floor restrooms are being renovated along with several other areas throughout the school. Updated LED lighting is also being installed at MHS. At Keenan Elementary, new flooring is being installed in the hallways and throughout the classroom areas.
The board also approved the purchase of entry resistant security film to be installed at all campuses including the Aquatic Center. The security film is required by the Texas Education Agency and provides a layer of protection to building doors and windows for a prolonged period of time. It also protects students and staff inside the building from flying debris during severe weather events.
The MISD Premier Blog 