During the March school board meeting, Montgomery ISD trustees approved the guaranteed maximum price for renovations at Montgomery High School.

“We are very excited to begin these renovations at Montgomery High School,” Board President Laurie Turner said. “These improvements will positively impact the learning environment at the school and allow our teachers and staff to support the needs of our students for years to come. We will continue to focus on transparency and share frequent updates about the progress of this project, consistent with how we’ve communicated about all projects funded by our 2022 bond.”

Trustees also heard an update about the MISD Athletic Department. MISD Athletic Director Clint Heard highlighted the accomplishments of the athletic programs across the district. MISD hosts 32 sports at the secondary level.

“While we are incredibly proud of the achievements of the student athletes who participate in our programs, we are equally proud to share about their performance in the classroom,” Heard said. “We had 123 students earn academic all-district honors this year, and 31 earned academic all-state honors. The district is also home to 33 student athletes who have committed to pursuing their athletic endeavors at the collegiate level next year.”

Also during the meeting, in acknowledgement of Career & Technical Education month, trustees recognized students from the district’s Robotics Programs, along with their sponsors Russell Reid from Montgomery High School and Eric Moons from Lake Creek High School.

Finally, to acknowledge the district’s commitment to music education, reflected by a long tradition of successful music programs across all secondary campuses, and to recognize Music In Our Schools Month in March, the trustees heard a performance from the newly formed Men’s a capella group from Montgomery High School, under the direction of Heather Orr and Emma Cockerham.  For nearly 40 years, March has been designated by the National Association for Music Education as Music in Our Schools Month. This March, music educators and students are celebrating music education in their school communities, demonstrating how the theme “I See ME in Music Education” resonates with them.

New medical pathway CTE program providing future for current seniors

Montgomery ISD continues to expand the Career and Technical Education opportunities for students with additional course selections and certifications being offered each year. For the 2023-2024 school year, the Practicum in Health Science EMT class was added to the course catalog and fourteen students have been participating, with plans to graduate high school as certified EMTs, ready to serve their community through their career.

Practicum in Health Science EMT is taught at Montgomery HS by Wade Johnson, paramedic turned teacher, who shares both his personal and professional experience with his students, helping make this pathway a reality for their future. Johnson became an EMT at the age of 18 and a paramedic in 2001, serving for over a decade as a field training officer. This is his second year teaching in Montgomery ISD.

“When I learned that health science classes were going to be offered in high schools to prepare students for a future as an EMT, I was immediately interested in continuing my career as a teacher,” said Johson. “The beauty of teaching in a CTE program is that the kids want to be here, they chose to be learning this material and we get immediate engagement from them when the class begins. The students are what make the program.”

The students, all with a variety of backgrounds and varying reasons for pursuing the medical pathway, come together through this practicum class and build a foundation for their future in medicine. Though several students plan to start working immediately following graduation, some plan to go directly to paramedic school and others will continue their education at four-year colleges, pursuing degrees in nursing, biology, pre-med and pre-vet. Most college bound students in the EMT program plan to use their EMT certification to work their way through school, lowering their accumulation of college debt and supporting themselves through school.

“I’ve enjoyed the classes and know that I’ve learned so much,” said Skyler Brannon, a senior that plans to work immediately following graduation. “I’d like to start just using what I’ve learned and make sure I like the job first, before I spend money or time on more education. I plan to be a paramedic eventually, but making money and being able to help people, without going to college for four or eight years, is definitely my priority. No matter what, I will always have these skills.”

All students in the practicum-level class are seniors, finishing a pathway that began with Principles of Health Science and included medical terminology and medical theory, as well as anatomy and physiology and pathology courses that were prerequisites to the practicum.

“I took this pathway in high school to put me ahead in what I want to do with my future,” said Camari Adams. “I plan to go to college and will work as an EMT to support myself through school. Being an obstetrician has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl, and learning all the skills through this program has gotten me even more excited about my future plans. Babies are a blessing and I want to be a part of bringing that joy into the world!”

Students in this practicum level class are required to earn 72 hours of skills training with an EMS crew and 40 hours in an emergency room. Because the shifts held in these careers range between eight and twelve hours, these students are required to get these hours outside of the school day, often on weekends and school holidays. Many of these students also have jobs of their own and some even participate in extracurricular activities including track, band and basketball.

“It takes a lot of dedication,” said Johnson. “This first class has been very impressive, learning time management and balancing their work and school and social life. It’s just a blessing to teach such motivated students.”

Students will complete the required hours and continue the coursework until April, when they will take the national registry exam. Once they have their registry results in April and their high school diploma in May, they will apply to the state and be certified EMTs in the state of Texas. In addition to the certification, these graduates will also have the CPR certification, the required FEMA incident command classes, and will be able to go to work immediately for transfer and 911 services.

“The students that plan to go into nursing or medical pathways will already be a year ahead in their training,” said Johnson. “They have developed soft skills training in doing patient interviews and bedside manner and empathy toward patients that you cannot get just sitting in a classroom.”

“We have learned so many skills,” said Jewel Dooley, “and for a fraction of the cost that would be required if we were to do this out of school, on our own. This is such an opportunity to have this preparation into becoming an adult and knowing that you are prepared and can provide for yourself with the skills you’ve been given.”

When the class was asked to share the specific skills they’ve learned, students spoke about skills needed to respond to patients, documenting care, the physical role of following safety procedures and protocols, as well as teamwork and communication skills. Students shared that the experience in clinicals was irreplaceable, helping them quickly understand why they have been taught the things they have since their freshman year.

Taking this course in Montgomery ISD costs students $250, for a program that would privately cost upwards of $3000 outside of school. Private programs are shorter, sometimes just seven weeks to learn the material that MISD students learn over the course of their senior year. This provides more time to get training, develop skills and be offered reteaching and hands-on training before they take the certification test.

In response to Montgomery ISD’s overwhelming support of Career and Technical Education, this Practicum in Health Science EMT class will be offered at MISD CTE Center starting the August 2025, where the facility will be equipped with a mock ambulance. This will allow students to practice their skills in a lifelike setting, with cameras inside the setup that will allow teachers to model from inside the ambulance during instruction time.

“Like I said, it’s an opportunity,” said Dooley. “An opportunity that was only available to me because of the teachers and programs here in our school.”

Montgomery ISD Education Foundation Recaps Grant Express

During the February school board meeting, Montgomery ISD trustees renewed the MISD Police Department’s “Memorandum of Understanding” agreement with the other law enforcement agencies that have concurrent jurisdiction within district boundaries, including Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, City of Montgomery Police, Montgomery County Constables, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

“Safety is our top priority for students and staff, so we are very thankful that each of our MISD campuses has at least one dedicated officer and the additional support of local law enforcement agencies due to this agreement,” Board President Laurie Turner said. “In addition to keeping our buildings safe, our officers serve as role models and mentors, building positive relationships with our students and staff. They are highly trained, dedicated professionals and we are fortunate that every MISD campus benefits from their service.”

The MISD Police Department collaborates with local law enforcement agencies and has established protocols and procedures for a well-coordinated response in the event of an emergency.

“Montgomery ISD’s Police Department is proud of this important partnership with neighboring law enforcement agencies,” MISD Police Chief Rickey Doerre said. “As school districts across Texas strengthen campus safety and security measures and protocols, the district is always glad to assist these agencies and we are grateful for the reciprocal support. This partnership enhances our police department’s ability to protect and serve MISD students, staff, and our larger community.”

The MISD Board of Trustees also voted to affirm the practice of a campus permitting a chaplain to provide support for students in accordance with the district’s existing policy that addresses school volunteers. In MISD, all volunteers must submit an application, clear a criminal background check and work under the supervision of campus principal after completing district training requirements. The vote complies with the requirements of Senate Bill 763, passed in last year’s session of the Texas legislature.

Trustees heard an update on projects funded by the district’s 2022 bond campaign:

• Design work for renovations at Montgomery High School is complete and bids will be received by February 28. The guaranteed maximum price for the project will be presented to the board at the March regular meeting.
• Design work for renovations at the Liberty Transportation Facility is complete and bids will be received in March.
• Lighting upgrades and technology infrastructure updates at Madeley Ranch, Lone Star, Stewart Creek are planned for this summer, with major renovations at those campuses postponed until summer 2025 due to lack of contractor bids.
• MISD athletic complex renovations are in the design process. The press box and field house renovations are scheduled for summer 2024 and major construction will begin at the complex after completion of the 2024 football season.

Trustees also heard updates from the Child Nutrition and Career & Technical Education Departments, and a report from the Montgomery ISD Education Foundation about the recent “Grant Express”, traveling across the district awarding over $74,000 in educator grants at all ten MISD campuses.

Montgomery ISD is excited to announce fifteen students have been named All-State musicians for the 2023-24 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 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 All-State ensembles.

All-State Choir honorees from MHS are as follows:

Jack McCorquodale, All State Mixed Choir

Adelyn Rabel, All State Mixed Choir

Sam Siemonsma, All State Mixed Choir

Ben Barajas, All State Tenor Bass Choir

Alyssa Schelski, All State Treble Choir

Mary Hoke, All State Mixed Choir, MHS

Joel Morgan, All State Mixed Choir

Catherine McCorquodale, All State Mixed Choir

MHS All-State Band honorees include:

All-State Choir honorees from LCHS are as follows:

Zoe Powell, All State Mixed Choir

Kenny Chalk, All State Mixed Choir

Molly Marshall, All State Mixed Choir

All-State Band honorees from LCHS are as follows:

Carter Huget-Hrupp, Jazz Ensemble

Jessica Lofton, 5A Band

“These students earned this honor through years of hard work and commitment,” Montgomery High School Choir Director Heather Orr said.  “This is the highest achievement a high school musician can achieve in the state of Texas. We are thrilled for their success and can’t wait to see them shine in San Antonio.”

All-state honorees from Montgomery ISD will travel to San Antonio to perform at the TMEA Convention later this month. 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.

The Montgomery High School Varsity Chorale Women have been named a Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Invited Choir, chosen to perform at the TMEA Convention on February 9^th in San Antonio, Texas.   

The achievement is part of the growing legacy of the Montgomery High School Choir Program. The Chorale Women are one of six high school choirs selected to perform at the TMEA Convention and the only 5A Women’s Choir invited. This is the fourth time this group has been selected to perform at the state level. With additional performances at the divisional and national conventions, this will mark the group’s eighth appearance at a Music Educators Association Event.

The group is directed by Mrs. Heather Orr. She is in her 23rd year leading the Choir Department at Montgomery High School. 

“This is such an honor and we are so thrilled to perform at the Texas Music Educators Convention,” Orr said. “This is definitely a life changing experience and the girls have worked so hard to inspire and bring joy to our audience. We can’t wait! I am so proud of them!”

Held annually, TMEA is a four-day event at San Antonio’s Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and is the largest music education convention in the nation. With over 29,000 attendees, the event provides opportunities for current and future music educators at every level and discipline and features performances by ensembles at every grade level.”

“Being invited to perform at the TMEA Convention is one of the highest honors bestowed on a public school band, choir or orchestra in the state of Texas,” MISD Superintendent Mark Ruffin said. “We are so excited to share this talented MHS choir with music educators and students from across the state.”

The Chorale Women will preview their TMEA performance at a concert in the Montgomery High School auditorium Monday, February 5 at 7:00 p.m. 

 

Trustees also approve Guaranteed Maximum Price for Career and Technical and Agricultural-Science Centers

During the January school board meeting, Montgomery ISD trustees approved the district’s academic calendar for the 2024-25 school year.

Montgomery ISD sought input on next year’s calendar via a community-wide survey last October. The calendar was developed by a district advisory committee comprised of MISD staff, parents and community members who met several times to study survey feedback and recommend a final version of the 2024-25 calendar to the Board of Trustees for their approval.

“Each year, the school calendar is an item on which we receive a great deal of community input and feedback,” Board President Laurie Turner said. “As a Board, it’s important to us that there is a strong calendar development process in place, and we thoroughly appreciate the work of the District Advisory Committee to create the 2024-25 calendar,” Board President Laurie Turner said. “This process began in the fall semester and the committee members carefully considered the preferences of our MISD community and ensured the recommended calendar was aligned with state requirements.”

For a link to the approved 2024-25 academic calendar, click here.  

“The district advisory committee members did a great job developing a calendar that reflects the feedback we received from the community survey and from the groups they represent,” Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin said.  “We received positive feedback from parents and staff members about the fall break in our current calendar, so the committee built that into next year’s calendar, too. This calendar strikes a great balance between ensuring strong instructional time for students and identifying breaks and professional development and planning time for staff.”

The first day of school for MISD students will be Thursday, August 15, 2024.

Also during the meeting, MISD trustees were acknowledged as part of School Board Appreciation Month.  Each January, school districts across Texas honor the community volunteers who serve on local school boards. 

“The additional recognition bestowed on the trustees during School Board Appreciation Month is so well-deserved,” Dr. Ruffin said. “They exemplify the very best of strong, locally elected leadership. They are rooted in this community and committed to our students, staff, families and taxpayers. The MISD trustees are united in their desire to see our students succeed, and they make informed, thoughtful decisions accordingly. They volunteer for the huge responsibility of governing and moving our school district forward.  We are grateful for their servant leadership and dedication to making sure Montgomery continues to be a great place to raise a family.”

With an intense focus on transparency and community engagement, the MISD school board was instrumental in developing a strategic plan for the district in 2021 and calling a successful bond election in May 2022, to address future growth in the district.  The trustees have also dedicated resources to enhance school safety, including the expansion of the MISD Police Department to allow for at least one police officer at every MISD campus.  In 2023, the MISD school board was recognized by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) as an Honor Board, one of the top five school boards in the state.  

“During the 88^th Texas legislative session this past spring, MISD trustees engaged frequently with our state delegation to advocate for the interests of our school district and community,” Chief of Staff and Communications Justin Marino said. “This included many meetings with our elected officials and visits to the state capitol to address MISD’s funding challenges with state legislators. This level of engagement goes above and beyond what is typically expected of a school board member and demonstrates their remarkable commitment to this community. The Montgomery community is blessed to be served by this incredible group of leaders.”  

Finally, trustees heard an update on projects funded by the district’s 2022 bond campaign and approved the guaranteed maximum price for the CTE & Ag Science Center, slated to open for the 2025-26 school year. The facility will be located along Lone Star Parkway between Buffalo Springs and Plez Morgan Drive. 

“Through our efforts with our partners at Huckabee Architects and Stewart Builders, we are working to maximize the value of this facility,” Chief Facilities & Operations Officer Kris Lynn said.  “We plan to move forward with constructing the CTE Center as a two-story structure. This finished space will provide some flexibility as the district grows and eliminate the need for future construction at the site. Additionally, the building will include a full kitchen facility that can be utilized for district events. We are also planning to connect the covered areas in the Ag-Science area. These decisions translate to an additional 30,000 square feet of usable space, at a price approved by our community in the 2022 bond election.”

The $61.61 million centralized CTE facility will serve both Montgomery High School and Lake Creek High School as will the $21.31 million centralized agricultural science center. The total building square footage for the CTE center is proposed at 127,000 square feet. The agricultural center will be 62,000 square feet, not including the additional 17,000 square feet for animal pens.

Trustees also approve employment contract for incoming superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin

During the December regular monthly school board meeting, Montgomery ISD trustees approved the attendance boundary for Creekside Elementary School. The district’s seventh elementary school, a project funded by MISD’s 2022 bond program, is set to open in August 2024 and will alleviate enrollment growth in Keenan and Stewart Creek elementary school attendance boundaries.

The updated elementary school attendance boundaries, which will take effect for the 2024-25 school year, can be viewed here.

This fall, a district committee was formed to begin the process of adjusting the district’s elementary attendance boundaries to include Creekside ES. This group reviewed enrollment projections from the district’s demographer to develop two potential elementary attendance boundary options that satisfy the goal of creating an attendance boundary for the newest elementary school that would relieve current enrollment growth at Stewart Creek and Keenan Elementary schools and impact as few families as possible.

Parent and staff meetings were held at Stewart Creek ES and Keenan ES to share two possible attendance boundaries to include Creekside ES and gather feedback from parents potentially impacted by the new boundary options. Additionally, to solicit feedback from as many families as possible, a survey was also shared with the community. Feedback submitted in the survey was reviewed by the committee prior to making a recommendation to the Board of Trustees.

“We appreciate the work of the committee and their intentional focus on gathering community feedback to create the best possible attendance boundary for Creekside,” Board President Laurie Turner said.  “Moving forward with this option is the most prudent in terms of managing current enrollment and from a long-term planning perspective. The new elementary attendance boundary will allow MISD to most efficiently utilize our teachers, specialists, and transportation personnel to serve students at all seven of our elementary campuses next school year.” 

During the meeting, district leaders also announced that incoming 5^th graders and their siblings impacted by the attendance boundary adjustment may remain at their current zoned school for the 2024-25 school year. Those families that choose this option must provide their own transportation to school. Additional information regarding Creekside ES will be shared directly with families in the new attendance boundary early in the spring semester.

Earlier this month, Shelby Smith, the current principal at Madeley Ranch Elementary, was named principal of Creekside Elementary School.  Smith will work with district leadership to hire staff for Creekside ES for the school’s August 2024 opening.  

During the meeting, trustees also approved the employment and contract for Dr. Mark Ruffin, who will serve as the district’s new Superintendent. Ruffin was named as the lone finalist for the position during the November school board meeting. The approval of Dr. Ruffin’s contract follows the 21-day waiting period requirement set forth by state law. Ruffin is set to officially begin his tenure as superintendent in January 2024.  

Also, during the meeting, trustees approved the purchase of a new HVAC unit for Lincoln Elementary School and roofing upgrades at Montgomery High School. Both projects are part of the facility upgrades portion of the 2022 bond program.

Finally, members of the Montgomery ISD Police Department were recognized for their service to the district. National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is January 9, 2024  

“Safety is always our top priority for our students and staff, so we are very grateful that each of our campuses has at least one dedicated school police officer,” Board Vice President Nate Robb said. “In addition to keeping our buildings safe, our officers work to build trusting relationships with our students and employees. They are dedicated professionals, and we are always excited to thank and recognize them for the important role they play in the education of our students.” 

Texas State Representative Will Metcalf presented the MISD Police Department with a proclamation in recognition of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. 

Stewart Creek Elementary School’s PE Coach, David Vaughn was awarded the 2023 PE Coach of the Year at the annual Texas Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (TAHPERD) this week.

“Receiving this award is the greatest honor I could ever hope for,” Vaughn said. “I love the unique opportunity I have to watch my students grow from Kindergarten through fifth grade and the privilege I have to lead children every day in how to improve their listening, communication, teamwork, fitness, health and problem-solving skills in a fun, positive environment. Being a PE teacher is the most rewarding profession in the world.”

Stewart Creek families and students have been fortunate to have Coach Vaughn leading the gym for 16 years. Vaughn has also served as Lead PE Teacher for Montgomery ISD for 13 years, supporting and representing his colleagues at district meetings with the superintendent, curriculum designers and parents. In this role, Vaughn also organizes district-wide events, including the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick Contest, American Heart Association events and the MISD Cup-Stacking contest.

“Coach Vaughn is a fabulous asset to our campus, not just as a PE teacher, but also as an incredible role model for our students,” Stewart Creek Principal, Michele Salter said. “His gym is an atmosphere full of engaging activities and relationships being built, with students overcoming challenges, improving their skills and finding joy in being active. His leadership in our district is a blessing!”

Vaughn is currently working his 33rd year as an Elementary PE Teacher and though it’s his third time to be nominated for TAHPERD Teacher of the Year, it’s only his first to be eligible and then ultimately selected as the winner of this award. His experience with TAHPERD includes serving as Awards-Committee Chairman, Physical Education and General Division Vice-President and PE Section Chair, volunteering as a member of the convention planning team three times.

“I love getting to show off my PE program as often as possible,” Vaughn said. “Through presenting at TAHPERD and sharing my knowledge and experience with others, to inviting people into my gym as guest participants, there’s so much to be proud of when these kids find a love for movement and physical activity.”

Coach Vaughn believes that the best way to instill a love of movement in his students is to lead by example, ensuring that he is participating with them and also modeling an active lifestyle with healthy behaviors and attitudes. If his students are working on push-ups, you will find him on the floor doing them too. In his 30s, Vaughn was a jump rope competitor and is a 13-time National Jump Rope Champion in speed, freestyle, and double-dutch, setting an age division speed record. Since wrapping up his competitive jumping days, Vaughn is now a marathon and distance runner.

“I love to share my experience with my students and what I’ve learned most through my lifetime of personal fitness and competition,” Vaughn said. “I’m able to speak to the importance of encouragement, communication and teamwork, not just in competition, but throughout life, in work and in family.”

Stewart Creek Elementary students are taught dancing through Vaughn’s PE program, with a full day of performances each year on Go Texan Day for families to attend. Students spend the start of a new year learning everything from classic square dancing to the most current line dance trends and fifth graders are invited to learn additional dances and perform for all audiences. The success of Vaughn’s Go Texan Day has spilled over into the community as he now teaches line dancing to the Montgomery County Cotillion at their annual glass slipper event and has presented his Go Texan Day at the TAHPERD Annual Convention and Summer Conference.

“The one event I am most proud of and love teaching to my students is Go Texan Day,” Vaughn said. “My students learn as many as 10-12 dances and all parents are invited to attend. Watching them develop from year to year and the way the entire campus gets excited about this annual tradition is very rewarding.”

Vaughn believes it’s important to build lifelong relationships with his students and keeps himself involved in the community so his students can see his commitment goes beyond the gym. He is often attending games to cheer on his students when they share their schedules and is thankful for the opportunities to encourage his students outside of school. He also works Friday Night Lights as the Montgomery ISD football announcer for all Lion and Bear home games and can be found around town volunteering as a youth sports referee and coach.

Each May in Montgomery ISD, graduating seniors are invited to walk the halls of their elementary school in their cap and gown, visiting former teachers. Former SCE students find joy in visiting the gym, as Coach Vaughn pulls out the class parachute and leads the students in their favorite games from elementary school.

“I get to see these kids at the end of their time in the district and bring them back to their childhood for a short time,” Vaughn said. “These 17 and 18 year olds turn back into 2nd graders right in front of my eyes and the joy on their face makes me feel like I must have done something right in their lives. It’s such and honor and privilege to do this job every day!”