Congratulations to Montgomery ISD Education Foundation Chairman Shannan Reid for being selected to receive the 2023 Heroes for Children Award for State Board of Education (SBOE) District 6. Reid is one of 15 honorees statewide who will receive recognition for the outstanding service and valuable support she has provided the Montgomery ISD community, staff and students.

In 2017, after a summer of extensive renovations across the district, Reid organized a team of community volunteers to help teachers get classrooms ready for the first day of school. Serving as the Executive Director of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, she was able to quickly connect district needs with local volunteers. The inaugural event in 2017 set into motion the annual “Get Back to Work Day”, an impactful community initiative to help local schools, hosted by the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce.

Reid also served as a member of the MISD Bond Task Force in 2021 and acted as the MISD Bond 2022 PAC Chairperson. Reid and her team were instrumental in the passing all three referendums of MISD’s $326 M bond in May 2022.

Since its inception in 2014, Reid has served as a MISD Education Foundation board member. She worked to establish the framework and policies of the foundation that aims to raise funds for scholarships for MISD students and innovative grants for teachers. During the past school year, Reid served as an advocate for the district during the state’s legislative session, meeting with members of the Public Education Committee to share concerns of the Montgomery, Texas community about funding for public school districts.

“Montgomery ISD is thrilled that Shannan is being honored as a Heroes for Children Award recipient,” MISD Interim Superintendent Dr. Amy Busby said. “She has the remarkable ability to magnify the amazing support we enjoy in our community, and is truly gifted at matching volunteers and resources to perfectly address the needs of students and employees in our school district. She is such a deserving recipient of this prestigious honor and we are so happy for her.”

Reid will be recognized along with the other 14 honorees during the September meeting of the State Board of Education in Austin.

“As Montgomery ISD’s self-proclaimed ‘Biggest Fan”, I am overjoyed to be recognized by the State Board of Education,” Reid said. “As the Executive Director of the Montgomery Area Chamber, I have steered our organization toward the philosophy of investing in our future. One crucial aspect of this is our unwavering support of our school district. I am so proud to represent the incredible Montgomery, Texas community and the many heroes who play a part in making it such a wonderful place to call home.”

Montgomery High School’s Heather Orr is the recipient of the 2023 Texas Choral Director’s Association Choral Excellence Award.  The award was presented last month at the organization’s summer convention. TCDA’s mission is to promote the art and artistry of choral singing and the pursuit of excellence within the choral music profession. The Choral Excellence Award is based on the recipient’s contribution to choral music in Texas, mentorship and inspiration to colleagues and students, and continued advocacy for the future of choral singing in our state. Orr was one of only two award recipients statewide. 

The award caps off a banner 2022-23 year for Ms. Orr and the Montgomery High School Choir Program.  Highlights include the Montgomery Madrigals receiving top honors at the Kemah Choral Competition last fall.  In February, the MHS A Capella Women took 1st place in the Treble Elite division at the North Texas Madrigal Festival. The Madrigals made history in March, placing first at the 52nd Annual Madrigal Festival in San Antonio. With 44 Madrigal choirs competing, the Madrigals were the first 5A Choir to win the competition in its 52-year history.  In June, four MHS students were named Outstanding Performer, the top recognition at the 2023 UIL State Solo-Ensemble Contest. Finally, the MHS Madrigal Choir traveled to Canada this summer, performing at the Pro Musica International Choral Festival in Kingston, Ontario.

“Heather is one of the finest choir directors I have ever worked with,” Montgomery High School Principal Noah Hollander said.  “In addition to her many accomplishments, she loves to share her passion for music with her students and is a wonderful mentor to music educators across the state. Our scholars are fortunate to be part of the incredible program she has built at Montgomery High School.”

Orr has been a high school choir director for nearly three decades and is set to begin her 23^rd year leading the choirs at Montgomery High School.

“Receiving the Choral Excellence Award was a wonderful surprise,” Orr said “ I am honored to be recognized by such an incredible organization and delighted to receive this prestigious award. It is such a privilege to do this work every day and I share this award with the remarkably talented students who lend their voices to our choir programs at MHS.”

Morrison resigning to lead National Education Organization

Dr. Heath Morrison has announced that he is stepping down as superintendent of Montgomery ISD.

Morrison will announce the details of his next role in the near future but shared that he will be leading a national organization focused on addressing one of the biggest challenges to public education.

“My time in Montgomery has truly been an amazing journey and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to serve as superintendent of this outstanding school district,” Morrison said. “It was an extremely difficult decision, but I have been presented with an opportunity to lead an organization that is working to solve arguably the most serious challenge impacting education. As a servant leader, I felt called to consider this next step in my leadership journey.”  

Board President Laurie Turner expressed her gratitude for Morrison’s leadership, and shared confidence in the district’s ability to continue building upon the momentum of the previous several years.

“While we are disappointed that he will no longer serve as superintendent, we are excited and proud of him for the opportunity that he has accepted,” Board President Laurie Turner said. “The work Dr. Morrison has done over the last three years has set our educators and students up for long-term success. He has made incredible improvements to our district, and I am so grateful for his leadership. He constantly proved that he was right the leader for us, at the right time.” 

Morrison was named Superintendent in July 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He immediately enacted a return-to-school plan that led to Montgomery ISD being one of the first districts in the state and nation to re-open schools for in-person learning. By October 2020, 95% of students in Montgomery ISD were engaged in traditional, in-person learning.

Also, under Morrison’s leadership, the district adopted a comprehensive strategic plan in 2021. The strategic plan was developed in collaboration with nearly 400 individuals, including administrators, teachers, support staff, students, parents and community members. The Pathway to Premier strategic plan encompasses priorities, goals and strategies identified by stakeholders. The district’s progress under the plan is posted online. 

In May 2022, Montgomery ISD voters approved the largest bond referendum in the history of the district. The $326M bond program will add Creekside Elementary School, expand Lake Creek High School, add a Career and Technical Education Center and Agriculture-Science Center, and make improvements to all campuses in the district.

Employee compensation and school safety have been top budget priorities under Morrison’s leadership. Since 2020, Teachers in Montgomery ISD have received over 14% in salary increases, with all other employees receiving at least 12%. Additionally, since 2020, the district has added seven full-time officers to the Montgomery ISD Police Department, which is enough for a dedicated officer for every campus, including two at each high school.

Additional accomplishments under Morrison’s leadership include the following:

• Maintaining a Balanced Budget and Superior Financial Rating from the state: Before 2020, the district struggled to continuously balance the budget. Since October 2020, the district has maintained a balanced operating budget and earned the highest financial rating given by the Texas Education Agency.

• Maintaining an A-Rating with the State of Texas: Despite the numerous challenges faced by school districts across the state, Montgomery ISD has consistently maintained its A-rating with the state of Texas. This accomplishment speaks to the hard work, dedication, and expertise of the exceptional educators and staff in Montgomery ISD who are committed to delivering a high-quality education to every student.

• Improve Communication and Collaboration with the Community: Under Dr. Morrison’s leadership, the district’s transparency and communication significantly improved. Dr. Morrison frequently engaged with business, community, and faith-based leaders and implemented the Let’s Talk platform. Districtwide survey results conducted by a third-party revealed that an overwhelming number of parents and employees rate their school as excellent.

• Recognition as a Top School District: Montgomery ISD was honored to be recognized as one of the top school districts in the state through the prestigious H-E-B Excellence in Education awards. This accolade is a testament to the dedication and commitment of the entire community to providing an outstanding education for MISD students.

• Employee Culture of Respect: Morrison formed a committee of staff members from across the district in 2022 to create a “Culture of Respect” compact intended to ensure that all employees in Montgomery ISD feel respected for their work and contributions. The work has improved the workplace culture in the district.

“The people in this district, everyone from the teachers to the students, parents and bus drivers, are truly what make this place special,” Morrison said. “This community talks a lot about wanting Montgomery ISD to be recognized as the premier district in Texas. In my opinion, this district is premier.”

Trustee Linda Porten, who serves as the Board Secretary, acknowledged Morrison’s work ethic as a driving force behind the district’s success under his leadership.

“Every organization Dr. Morrison has led has achieved great results, including Montgomery ISD,” Porten said. “It’s why he was named Principal of the Year in Maryland, Superintendent of the Year in Nevada, and National Superintendent of the Year. His tireless work ethic, integrity and extremely high standard of excellence have provided our school district with a strong foundation for future success.”

In April, the Board of Trustees unanimously nominated Morrison for Region 6 Superintendent of the Year.

Madeley Ranch ES Principal Shelby Smith shared her appreciation for Morrison’s collaboration with teachers and district leadership.

“As a campus principal, I was always grateful for Dr. Morrison‘s focus on collaboration with employees,” Smith said. “Throughout all my years here, I never felt more involved in major decision-making in our district, and it really had a positive impact on our workplace culture in MISD.”

Trustee Trey Kirby, who has been on the Board of Trustees since 2015, shared his appreciation for Morrison’s leadership in navigating unprecedented challenges facing public schools.

“Dr. Morrison joined our district during a very unique and challenging time in public education across the country,” Kirby said. “His leadership during that time was a key part of MISD being one of the top districts in the state.  We’re disappointed to see him leave, but grateful for his service and work to improve our school district and wish him well in his new position.”

Trustee Matt Fuller, who served as the MISD Board President from November 2020 through May 2023, commented on Morrison’s tenure as superintendent.

“Dr. Morrison’s leadership through the past three years has left an indelible mark on our community,” Fuller said. “Working with others, he has charted a path of excellence for our district that we look forward to continuing and developing further. He will be missed, but his impact will be felt for years to come.”

The Montgomery ISD Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting in July to discuss the leadership transition and timeline.

“We are extremely confident that our district will continue to experience success, in large part due to the amazing teachers in our district and the outstanding campus and district administrators Dr. Morrison has assembled to lead Montgomery ISD,” Board Vice President Nate Robb said. “The positive impact he had on our district over the last three years will be felt for many years into the future.”

Rickey Doerre set to lead district police department

Montgomery ISD has named Rickey Doerre as the district’s new Chief of Police. The leadership of the police department will transition this summer, as the district’s previous Chief of Police Stephen Phillips is set to retire in August.  

Chief Doerre is a highly accomplished law enforcement professional with over 33 years of experience. Serving the City of Tomball for the majority of his career, he brings a wealth of policing knowledge to the role. He has served in a leadership capacity on both the Tomball ISD and City of Tomball police forces, and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department.

“Safety and Security is always our top priority in Montgomery ISD and hiring a Chief of Police is one of the most important decisions our school district makes,” Superintendent Dr. Heath Morrison said. “We are thrilled to appoint Chief Doerre to this important position, and I’m confident he will continue to build upon the momentum and success the MISD Police Department achieved under Chief Phillips’ leadership.”

Doerre has received numerous accolades including the Lifetime Achievement Award and Police Officer of the Year from the Tomball Police Department. He received the Outstanding DARE Officer Award from the Tomball Independent School District. His implementation of the Juvenile Prevention Program in Tomball ISD was acknowledged by the American Society for Industrial Security. The City of Tomball honored him with a proclamation declaring Rickey Doerre – Dedicated Public Servant Day on October 3, 2022, to recognize his exemplary service to the community.

Doerre holds a Texas Master Peace Officer Certification and a BA degree from Midwestern State University. His commitment to continuous growth and development led him to the FBI National Academy, where he completed the 219th session. This prestigious program equipped him with advanced leadership and investigative techniques, enhancing his ability to tackle complex situations effectively.

“With his extensive law enforcement experience, unwavering dedication to public service, and a track record of achievements, Chief Doerre is a phenomenal fit for this role,” Board President Laurie Turner said. “His dedication to serving the community and his exceptional leadership skills make him an excellent choice to lead the Montgomery ISD Police Department.”

“I am truly honored and humbled to join Montgomery ISD as the Chief of Police,” Doerre said. “I am committed to working with our team of dedicated police officers to ensure that the safety and security of every student, staff member and community member within the district continues to be held to the highest standards. Together, we will continue to foster a culture of trust and collaboration and work proactively to create a secure learning environment where everyone can thrive. I look forward to serving the Montgomery ISD community and working to uphold the highest standards of safety and the values that make this district exceptional.”

“Rickey Doerre’s many years of experience and outstanding reputation within the law enforcement community speaks for itself,” Board Trustee Shawn Denison said. “Chief Doerre will make an immediate impact in our community and in our ongoing efforts to build our police department’s partnership and collaboration with other law enforcement agency partners. His law enforcement knowledge will take our district police department to the next level.”

Chief Doerre will report for duty on July 10 and will have an opportunity to transition into the role with Chief Stephen Phillips before his official retirement date of August 31.

Bond 2022 projects moving forward

At the June meeting of the Montgomery Independent School District school board, trustees adopted an $87.8 million balanced budget for the 2023-2024 school year.  

Montgomery ISD’s 2023-2024 budget includes a district compensation plan that provides raises for all employees. Individuals on the teacher hiring schedule will receive a $1,300 raise, with all other employees receiving a 2% salary increase from the midpoint of their position pay grade. The Board of Trustees is also mindful of a potential special session of the Texas legislature this fall, that could result in additional funding for public schools. 

 “We are pleased to adopt a balanced budget that prioritizes safety and employee compensation,” Board President Laurie Turner said. “Given the state’s historic budget surplus, we are hopeful that additional funding will be approved for public schools during a special session of the legislature this fall.”

During the meeting, the Board also approved an alternate compensation plan that will provide for the opportunity to implement mid-year employee raises. The alternate compensation plan is contingent on the district receiving sufficient additional funding and would be implemented on top of the pay increases approved for the 2023-24 school year.  

“The raises adopted by the Board tonight are a starting point for what we want to do for employees this year,” Turner said. “As a proactive measure, our board has approved an alternate compensation plan that will allow us to add to the employee raises should additional funding become available to the district. Despite our funding challenges, we continue to find ways to prioritize employee compensation.”

“Working within a balanced budget while also providing pay increases for our teachers and staff is always a top priority for our school board.” Superintendent Dr. Heath Morrison said. “This is always a challenge, given the disparity in the per-student funding Montgomery ISD receives when compared to the state average. This year, we received no new funding for raises, but we understand the importance of offering competitive compensation to attract and retain high-quality teachers and staff.”

Also during the meeting, MISD Chief Operations Officer Kris Lynn shared an update on projects funded by the district’s 2022 bond.

Crews at Montgomery Elementary School are working to give the facility an updated exterior entryway, upgrades to the library, additional instructional spaces, and renovations throughout the building. Work is underway at Lincoln Elementary School to improve the parking area and driveway. At Montgomery Junior High, a major remodel of the library is underway, which will include new interactive learning spaces and a secure outdoor courtyard. 

“We are excited that these facility upgrades are being made to these schools in the Montgomery High feeder pattern,” Board Vice President Nate Robb said. “The 2022 bond truly benefits every student and staff member in the district and it is great to see these large-scale renovations taking place at multiple campuses at the same time.”

Construction is also underway at the site of Creekside Elementary, the district’s seventh elementary campus. The 95,000-square-foot facility will house 900 students and alleviate overcrowding at Keenan and Stewart Creek elementary campuses. Creekside Elementary is set to open for the 2024-25 school year. 

Work is also progressing at Lake Creek High School, on a $27.8 million Phase 2 expansion of the building to accommodate 900 additional students. Phase 2 of Lake Creek High School brings the capacity of the campus to 2,500 students, which is comparable to Montgomery High School.

“It’s exciting to break ground on this project at Lake Creek,” Trustee Eddie Winn said. “When Lake Creek was originally constructed, it was planned as a two-phase project. The growth in our school district made it necessary to move forward with Phase 2 earlier than expected, and it was made a priority project by the Bond 2022 Task Force. This important planned addition will allow us to better serve the rapidly growing student population at the campus.”

Phase 2 of Lake Creek is scheduled to be completed in August 2024.

Other ongoing projects this summer include parking lot striping at Oak Hills Junior High and Keenan Elementary School. Projects currently in the design stage include the new MISD Career & Technical Education and Ag-Science Center, renovations at Montgomery High School, the MISD Athletic Complex, and the MISD Transportation facility.

The district will soon begin the design phase for renovations at Lone Star, Madeley Ranch, and Stewart Creek elementary schools.   

After 28 years of law enforcement service, Montgomery ISD Police Chief Stephen Phillips will retire this August. Chief Phillips has served as MISD’s Police Chief for the last three years, demonstrating incredible leadership of the district police department.

“Serving as Chief of Montgomery ISD’s Police Department has been the highlight of my career in law enforcement. I am grateful to the MISD Board of Trustees and Dr. Morrison for allowing me to serve in this important role. The dedicated men and women of the MISD Police Department demonstrate every day how school district police officers can build lasting relationships and help students thrive in a safe learning environment. It has been an honor to serve alongside them, and I know they will continue to serve our schools and community well. “

Chief Phillips began his law enforcement career in 1995 with the Port Authority Police Department where he served for five years.  He then moved to Spring ISD to serve as a campus officer. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2003. He received the Spring ISD Bravo Award for recovering over $60,000 in stolen vehicles and a received a Letter of Commendation for his service to the district during Hurricane Ike.

In 2009 he was named Captain of Lone Star College Police Department. During his 11-year tenure at Lone Star College, he served as the Commanding Officer over Dispatch, Investigations, Honor Guard and Training. He also served as the Commanding Officer over three Lone Star College campuses. 

Serving Montgomery ISD, Phillips has worked to expand the police department to keep pace with the growing student population.  Two additional officers were added to the department last summer, providing at least one dedicated officer for every campus.  Since Phillips’ arrival in 2020, seven full-time positions have been added to the force.

Phillips was instrumental in the district’s Stop the Prop initiative, ensuring that every exterior point of entry remains closed and locked at all times. Phillips also worked on the districtwide rollout of the RAVE panic alert system that provides instant communication for campuses, employees, 911 and first responders in the event of an emergency.  The RAVE app has been endorsed by the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and each school district in the county has implemented this panic alert tool. Under his command, the MISD Police Department has increased collaboration with local law enforcement agencies and focused on improving communication and formalizing district protocols and procedures for a well-coordinated response in the event of an emergency. 

School quality survey results for the 2022-23 school year reflect this outstanding leadership of Chief Phillips over the MISD Police Department, with 92% of parents/guardians responding their student’s school is safe, an increase from 90% last school year; and 95% of campus-based staff responding their school is safe, an increase from 94%.

“We are grateful for the dedication and service of Chief Phillips, who has been a tremendous leader for Montgomery ISD,” MISD Superintendent Dr. Heath Morrison said. “Chief has worked diligently to elevate our MISD police department while prioritizing the safety of our students and staff. He also understands the importance of building meaningful relationships on our campuses and in the broader community and has set a standard of excellence for our police department in that regard. I am so thankful for his leadership and service to our district and congratulate him on his retirement.”

Montgomery ISD officials plan to announce the new leader of the MISD Police Department this summer.  

Child Nutrition Director Lena Neugebauer is set to retire after 30 years in education, 25 of those in Montgomery ISD. Lena has been an amazing leader of the district’s food service department, ensuring that campuses consistently serve nutritious meals with the very best customer service.

Lena started her career in education as a Cosmetology instructor in Klein ISD. She began her tenure in Montgomery ISD in 1998 as a substitute teacher, when her daughter started kindergarten in the district. Neugebauer eventually moved into the Child Nutrition department, coordinating the free and reduced lunch program and helping in campus kitchens. She served as the district’s Catering Coordinator and began the Culinary Arts program in MISD.  She became the Assistant Director of MISD Child Nutrition in 2012 and has served as Director of the department since 2014.  

Overseeing the food service operations of the district over the past decade has provided Neugebauer with a front row seat to an ever-changing landscape in school lunch programs.  Improved federal nutrition standards put in place in 2014 transformed the way school lunches must be prepared, with strict requirements surrounding ingredients and how those ingredients are sourced. These standards challenge Neugebauer and her team to get creative, developing healthy, affordable menu offerings that kids look forward to eating.

“Serving as Director of Montgomery ISD’s Child Nutrition department has been such a joy to me,” Neugebauer said.  “I just have a passion for feeding hungry kids. Lunchtime is such an important part of the school day. Seeing students in our cafeterias interacting with each other while enjoying the meals we have prepared is the best part of my job, and something that I will definitely miss. I have also really enjoyed serving a second generation of MISD students. I love meeting parents who attended schools in MISD, hearing how much they once looked forward to something like our cinnamon rolls, and knowing we are now serving their children in our cafeterias. It’s a full circle moment that is so fun and rewarding.”   

She also credits her team in Child Nutrition for their support.  “I could never have gotten to this point in my career without the wonderful people who are part of the Child Nutrition department. We have a truly amazing team filled with people who love our kids and love to serve them, and it has been such an honor to do this work with them.”

Under her leadership, the Child Nutrition department partnered with the district’s Student Nutrition Advisory Council to host MISD’s first Walkathon for Hunger in 2021. The Walkathon has become an annual community outreach event to support the Montgomery County Food Bank.  Neugebauer is proud of the way this event encourages families to spend time together outdoors, and how the Walkathon benefits the local food bank. Participants are asked to bring non-perishable food items as their entry to the popular event that also features a silent auction, farmer’s market and health fair. 

“We are so appreciative of Lena for her commitment to our students,” Superintendent Dr. Heath Morrison said. She has done a remarkable job leading our Child Nutrition team, not only running the department efficiently, but more importantly, ensuring students are served healthy, delicious meals while meeting rigorous school nutrition standards. Montgomery ISD has been truly blessed by Lena’s leadership and we wish her all the best in her retirement.”

Montgomery ISD officials have named Pamela Mallory as Neugebauer’s successor, and the two have been able to work together this summer, ahead of Neugebauer’s retirement in August. 

Congratulations Lena and thank you for your wonderful service to Montgomery ISD!