January is School Board Recognition Month and Pasadena ISD is joining districts across the nation to thank these community volunteers for their commitment and contributions to our public schools.
Have you thanked a school board member lately? January is School Board Recognition Month and Pasadena ISD is joining districts across the nation to thank these community volunteers for their commitment and contributions to our public schools.
“School board members play such an important role in the uniquely American school governance system that guarantees local control of our schools,” said School Superintendent Dr. Kirk Lewis. “They invest countless hours to provide an exceptional public education that meets the needs of all students. Clearly with an average tenure of 15 years, these are individuals who truly know the district and care about the families who entrust their kids to Pasadena ISD.”
The seven school members who serve Pasadena ISD are elected officials who volunteer their time to set direction for our schools. They spend long hours, after their own workdays, making decisions on complex educational and social issues. The Board sets policies and goals that reflect the community’s vision for the future. They bear responsibility and oversight of the district’s 54,000 students, in grades kindergarten to twelfth; more than 7,000 employees; and 62 schools. The future is literally in their hands.
Preparing today’s students to be productive citizens and leaders is a tremendous task. As elected officials, school board members are the voice of their communities, serving the best interest of school children.
“These dedicated individuals deserve recognition and thanks for their unfailing commitment to the continuing success of our students,” Lewis said.
Thanks to the leadership and collaborative efforts by the Pasadena ISD Board of Trustees, construction on a new state-of-the-art Career and Technology High School is underway and expected to be completed by August 2014. In addition, the Board has strongly advocated a One-to-One Initiative to provide technology to all students. Because of the Board’s responsible management of the district budget, employees received a 3.5 percent raise this past fall.
The district invites the community to take time this month to thank the trustees for their devotion.
The men and women serving Pasadena ISD are President Jack Bailey, four years in office; Vice-President Vickie Morgan, 26 years, Secretary Fred Roberts, 19 years; Asst. Secretary Mariselle Quijano-Lerma, 5 years; Nelda Sullivan, member, 18 years; Jerry Ross Speer, member, 12 years; Marshall Kendrick, member, 24 years.