Ten Choir and Band Students to perform at TMEA State Convention

Montgomery ISD is excited to announce ten students have been named All-State musicians for the 2022-23 school year.  Each fall, over 70,000 high school students across the state audition in their TMEA Region. Individuals perform selected music for a panel of judges who rank each instrument or voice part. A select group of musicians advances to compete against musicians from other Regions in their TMEA Area. The highest-ranking musicians judged at the TMEA Area competitions qualify to perform in one of 18 Texas All-State ensembles.

Montgomery ISD All-State Choir honorees are as follows:

Ben Barajas, MHS

Mary Hoke, MHS

Tyler Perrine, MHS

Kaitlyn Reeves, MHS

Alyssa Schelski, MHS

Kenny Chalk, LCHS

Montgomery ISD All-State Band honorees are as follows:

Valentina Gomez, Clarinet, MHS

Anthony Kotinek, French Horn, MHS

DJ Haynes, Tuba, LCHS

Carter-Huget Hrupp, Trumpet, LCHS

“We are so thrilled for these students and all the students who auditioned this year,” Montgomery High School Choir Director Heather Orr said. “Auditioning for All State Coir and Band is an incredible journey that is full of growth, commitment to excellence and amazing memories. Congratulations to all these fine students and their families. “

All-state honorees from Montgomery ISD will travel to San Antonio to perform at the TMEA Convention February 8-11. In addition to All-State Ensemble performances, the TMEA Convention provides opportunities for professional development for current and future music educators at every level and discipline.

Trustees also approve design development for new Creekside Elementary School

During the January meeting of the Montgomery ISD Board of Trustees, leaders from the Montgomery, Texas community were on hand to share their appreciation for school board members. Each January, communities across the state honor the elected leaders who serve on their local school boards.

“Recognizing our trustees during school board appreciation month ensures that these amazing servant leaders receive the appreciation they deserve,” Superintendent Dr. Heath Morrison said. “Every day, Montgomery ISD students and employees benefit from the service of our school board members. They are extraordinary leaders who voluntarily tackle the job of governing our school district. They recognize the tremendous responsibility entrusted to them and take their roles seriously. We are grateful for their leadership and appreciate their unwavering commitment to our employees and students.”

Over the past three years, the Montgomery ISD Board of Trustees has worked with stakeholders to establish new district goals, adopt Montgomery ISD’s strategic plan, approve school safety enhancements including expansion of the MISD Police Department and plan for the future of the district by overseeing the process to explore and ultimately call a successful bond election in May 2022. The Board of Trustees has focused on MISD employees, approving enhancements to employee pay and establishing a ‘Culture of Respect’ initiative to ensure a strong workplace culture. With an increased focus on transparency and community engagement, the trustees were instrumental in the successful 2022 bond referendum to accommodate the needs of the growing school district.

“Strong local elected leadership is more important now than it ever has been, and that is exactly what the MISD Board of Trustees is exemplifying,” Lake Conroe Area Republican Women President Stephanie Johnson said. “We are so proud of the Montgomery ISD Board of Trustees’ commitment to the district’s students, parents and taxpayers, and we applaud them for working tirelessly to move the district forward, and for working to ensure Montgomery continues to be a great place for families to raise and educate their children.”

During the meeting, trustees also approved the design development for the district’s seventh elementary campus, Creekside Elementary School. Funding for the facility is provided as part of the district’s voter-approved 2022 bond initiative, and the school is set to open in August 2024, for the 2024-25 school year.

A committee comprised of MISD staff members, parents, and representatives from Huckabee Architects worked to finalize the designs for the new school.

“Completing the design for the campus involved a wonderful collaborative process with parents, teachers and staff,” Trustee Linda Porten said. “MISD trusted the team and expertise provided by Huckabee Architects to develop a design that is highly functional, educationally innovative, and truly beautiful. We are confident that the facility will accommodate our growing district and provide an excellent learning environment for our students.”

The one-story building is equipped for 900 students. The design features a centrally located library with makerspaces to encourage problem-solving, creative thinking and collaborative learning. The interior finishes are inspired by Sam Houston National Forest and the natural beauty of the area surrounding the campus. The school’s blue and gold color scheme is reflected in the forest-themed interior to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Trustees also received an update from the Montgomery ISD Education Foundation. Last week, the 2022-23 educator grants were awarded across all 10 MISD campuses. Thirty grants totaling over $64,000 were delivered by the MISD Education Foundation’s ‘Grant Express’. Teachers across the district were encouraged to submit grant proposals in the fall semester, seeking funding for creative and innovative teaching programs to benefit MISD students.

“We are so appreciative of the fundraising efforts of the MISD Education Foundation and their amazing directors,” Trustee Nate Robb said. “It was rewarding to be able to see the surprise and excitement from a classroom teacher who learned their grant application had been funded by the foundation, and to know that those grant funds will be used to engage students through original and creative learning experiences.”

Finally, trustees received a progress report on Academic Achievement Goal 1 of the district’s strategic plan. Dr. Chris Summers, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction shared information from the Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR), supporting Montgomery ISD’s districtwide A Rating from TEA, for the 2021-22 school year.

Honored as one of three statewide finalists in small district category

H-E-B has named Montgomery ISD as a statewide finalist for the Texas-based organization’s 2023 Excellence in Education Awards. MISD is one of three finalists in the small district category, encompassing those with less than 10,000 students enrolled.

H-E-B launched the Excellence in Education Awards in 2002 as a positive way to support education in Texas. Since the program’s inception in 2002, H-E-B has awarded more than $13 million in funding to outstanding Texas teachers, principals, public school districts, school boards, and early childhood facilities.

“Being named as one of three finalists in H-E-B’s Excellence in Education Awards is an incredible honor,” Superintendent Dr. Heath Morrison said. “I am so proud of our amazing educators, dedicated support staff and committed Board of Trustees who are supremely invested in the success of our students. This distinction reflects Montgomery ISD’s commitment to becoming the Premier School District in Texas, achieving the goals set forth in the district’s strategic plan.”

The H-E-B School District Awards recognize school districts based on the following criteria:

• Commitment to student achievement through innovative programs
• Parent/Community involvement
• Professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators

“We are thrilled that Montgomery ISD has been named as a statewide finalist by H-E-B. The Excellence in Education Awards highlight the values that our community has come to expect of our school district.” MISD Board President Matt Fuller said. “We appreciate the tremendous responsibility of educating our children and are united in our commitment to doing our very best to set our students up for success.”

To determine overall statewide winners, a panel of judges will tour campuses and visit with administration, staff, parents, students and community members. 

Winners will be announced at the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards Ceremony on April 30, 2023 in San Antonio.