The Spring ISD Board of Trustees met at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, in person, and streamed via video conferencing, to address items on the agenda. President Justine Durant called the meeting to order. The Dekaney Wildcat Navy JROTC Battalion led the presentation of colors, with Cadet Cmdr. Gabriella Lopez leading the pledges to the flags. Carrying the United States Flag was Master Chief Petty Officer Brody Nix. Carrying the Texas Flag was Cadet Ensign Christopher Zetino. The Left Rifle was Cadet Petty Officer William Guillen. The Right Rifle was Cadet Petty Officer Joan Marquez. The Dekaney Wildcat Navy JROTC Battalion is led by Chief Petty Officer Victor Adams and Chief Petty Officer Robert Dunn.

Recognitions

Since January 1984, the Board has recognized students and staff for major accomplishments beyond the District with Points of Pride awards. ABCD awards are presented to individuals or groups that go Above and Beyond the Call of Duty.

Points of Pride, ABCD Awards and Spotlights

Nearly 250 students recognized for earning honors at regional, state and national levels

Nearly 250 students from across the district were honored on Tuesday evening during the annual May Board Meeting – held for the second year in a row in the Dekaney High School Star Theater – where students were recognized by the Spring ISD Board of Trustees for a range of individual and team accomplishments at the local, regional, state and national level.

“Tonight is a very special night,” said Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa during her opening remarks. “As the school year is drawing to a close, we have gathered here to honor the best and brightest that Spring ISD has to offer.”

Students and teams with high-level achievements on the state or national level received Points of Pride awards, while Spotlight Awards were given out to students celebrating a range of additional accomplishments, including outstanding achievements at the local and regional levels. 

Board President Justine Durant also welcomed students and the hundreds of family members gathered in the Star Theater, saying that the annual May student recognition ceremony is always a highlight of the year for the trustees.

“We have outstanding students here in Spring ISD, and it’s truly a pleasure and honor to be able to recognize their hard work and accomplishments in this special setting,” Durant said. “You’ll see scholars, athletes, musicians and others walk this stage tonight. They provide us all with inspiration and motivation to always strive for excellence.”  

Parents, family members and fellow students cheered for the honorees as they crossed the stage, while student co-emcees Santos Duran and Ashlynn Foster-Smith from Spring High School introduced each student in turn and read their recognition cards.

Both emcees are longtime theater department members and participants in speech and debate, and spoke about how their experiences in Performing and Visual Arts had shaped them. 

“Santos and I could speak all night about the incredible fine arts experiences and opportunities afforded us here in Spring, which started as far back as middle school,” Foster-Smith said. “We both followed our paths since then to Spring High School, which has led us here tonight – to share these incredible student recognitions with you.”

For a complete list of student honorees, click here. You may also view and download photos of this year’s student honorees.

Superintendent's Report

Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa talked about the district’s celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, including the launch of a series of special videos honoring Spring ISD’s Teacher of the Year finalists for 2023-24.

She also introduced a video featurette, created in collaboration with trustees, in honor of district teachers. The video can be viewed on the district’s YouTube channel.

“I want to thank our board members for their continued support of our teachers and the value they place on their service,” Hinojosa said.

She also mentioned the upcoming Employee Recognition Banquet, at the Hilton North Houston. Originally scheduled for Friday evening, May 17, the event was postponed until Tuesday, May 28, due to weather-related closures on the planned date.

Hinojosa concluded her remarks by congratulating teachers and students on the upcoming end of the school year and the much-anticipated graduation ceremonies.

“We’re looking forward to all of our graduations, and I want to encourage everyone to keep supporting our students all the way to the very last day of school,” Hinojosa said. “Let’s keep pushing really hard to finish strong!”

Trustees Remarks

At each regular board meeting, during Opening Remarks, each board member is given the opportunity to share information with those present.

Deborah Jensen
Position 1

Kelly P. Hodges
Position 2

Justine Durant
Position 3

Winford Adams Jr.
Position 4

Rhonda Newhouse
Position 5

Carmen Correa
Position 6

Natasha McDaniel
Position 7

Assistant Secretary Rhonda Newhouse kicked off Trustees Remarks with a shout-out to Reynolds Elementary School on the occasion of the school’s 50th anniversary celebration.

“It was so nice to see returning teachers, principals, and parents there to support the students,” Newhouse said. “They’re doing a wonderful job over there, so hats off and kudos to Reynolds.”

Trustee Natasha McDaniel mentioned the district’s recent volunteer appreciation event, hosted by the Family and Community Engagement Department (FACE). The event brought together a range of district volunteers, from parents and family members to community members and business partners, including some who have volunteered in Spring ISD for a decade or more.

“It was just a lovely event that was hosted by FACE,” McDaniel said.

“We know that you’re busy and you have a lot going on,” she continued, “but we thank you for taking that time to really pour into our kids, whether you’re helping out during the day, or a Vine mentor coming in once a week, or you’re helping out at special events. All of it makes a difference, and so we thank you for all that you have dedicated to our students across this school year.”

Trustee Dr. Deborah Jensen spoke briefly about how much she had enjoyed attending end-of-year campus awards events, including one at Carl Wunsche Sr. High School.

Secretary Kelly P. Hodges spoke about several recent events she had been able to attend, including the delivery of Employee Excellence Awards, the CTE Advisory Board Scholarship Reception, and the Spring Livestock Show & Fair.

“I loved everything about it,” Hodges said of the latter event, which in addition to livestock also featured arts and crafts and culinary offerings, all from Spring ISD students. “I commend the CTE department, Ms. Cynthia Williams and her staff, for all of the hard work that goes into putting those events on.”

Vice President Winford Adams Jr. reminded members of the community to stay informed about the legislative process and issues affecting themselves and their families, even in between the formal legislative sessions every other year in Austin. He emphasized the importance of ongoing engaged citizenship and participation in mid-term and primary elections.

“I just again want to remind our community that you have to be civically engaged,” Adams said. “You have to vote on the interests of your community, and make sure that you’re paying attention to what’s happening in our state government and in our legislature.”

Board President Justine Durant concluded the remarks by recounting her visit to Spring Baptist Church to celebrate National Day of Prayer on May 2, along with a recent opportunity she had to meet with members of the district’s Parent Advisory Council.

“It’s always great to have an opportunity to listen and hear how our parents feel about the initiatives that our administration is bringing forward,” Durant said. “It gives us a lot of insight into their thinking, and it helps us when we’re making decisions, because we’re more informed.”

Updates

Audit Committee Provides Update

Assistant Secretary Rhonda Newhouse offered a brief update on the district’s search for a new internal auditor.

Board Governance Committee provides update

Secretary Kelly P. Hodges noted that the committee had met with the General Counsel to go over updates to board policy items prior to their presentation to the Board during the May 14 regular meeting.

The group is also moving forward on items and actions related to legislative advocacy, voter registration and providing voter information to district residents. Hodges also recommended that members of the community visit the Harris Votes website for information on upcoming elections and issues affecting local residents.

The committee is also working to draft legislative priorities, with plans to bring initial recommendations to the Board at an upcoming meeting.

Board Equity Committee provides update

Trustee Natasha McDaniel reported on the committee’s continued work to address items arising from the district’s equity study. The group is also addressing topics related to the Student Code of Conduct, and ensuring that students’ perspectives are taken into account in the formation of those policies and how they are implemented and enforced across the district.

Board President Justine Durant also applauded the work done during the current school year – spearheaded in part by the Equity Committee and Trustee McDaniel – to establish stronger channels of communication between the Board and students in the district.

Board Data Analysis Committee provides update

Trustee Dr. Deborah Jensen gave a brief overview of the group’s recent meeting, including the committee’s discussion of relevant data sets and trends to study. Plans are currently underway for a presentation to the full Board, potentially later in the summer.

Action Items and Presentations

Presentation of design options for the Spring ISD Education Performance and Instruction Center (EPIC)

Representatives from HKS Architects presented schematic design options for the Spring ISD Education Performance and Instruction Center (EPIC) currently in development as part of the implementation of the district’s 2022 Bond.

The presentation included an overview of community feedback collected and the design process so far, as well as an anticipated overview timeline for the project, culminating in the facility’s substantial completion in early 2027.

In other action, the Board approved:

• Minutes from the April 4, 2024 Work Session; April 9, 2024 Regular Meeting; and April 30, 2024 Special Called Session;

• Approval of Construction Costs for the Competitive Sealed Proposal (CSP) #24-024 – Multi-Campus Painting & Flooring Project;

• Request for Proposal (RFP) #24-025 – Elevator Maintenance Services;

• List of Investment Brokers/Dealers (Recurring Item);

• Report of Grants Awarded to Spring ISD Exceeding $10,000;

• Instructional Materials Adoption – CTE Proclamation 2024;

• Authorization for a Voter-Approved Tax Rate Election (VATRE) in Nov. 2024;

• Memorandum of Understanding with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office for Supplemental Services;

• First Reading of Proposed Revisions to Board Policy CQB(LOCAL) – TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES – CYBERSECURITY;

• First Reading of Proposed Revisions to Board Policy CSA(LOCAL) – FACILITY STANDARDS: SAFETY AND SECURITY;

• First Reading of Proposed Revisions to Board Policy DC(LOCAL) – EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES;

• First Reading of Proposed Revisions to Board Policy EHB(LOCAL) – CURRICULUM DESIGN – SPECIAL PROGRAMS;

• First Reading of Proposed Revisions to Board Policy EHBC(LOCAL) – SPECIAL PROGRAMS – COMPENSATORY SERVICES AND INTENSIVE PROGRAMS;

• First Reading of Proposed Revisions to Board Policy EHBCA(LOCAL) – COMPENSATORY SERVICES AND INTENSIVE PROGRAMS – ACCELERATED INSTRUCTION;

• First Reading of Proposed Revisions to Board Policy FEA(LOCAL) – ATTENDANCE – COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE;

• First Reading of Proposed Revisions to Board Policy FFAC(LOCAL) – WELLNESS AND HEALTH SERVICES – MEDICAL TREATMENT;

• First Reading of Proposed Revisions to Board Policy FFB(LOCAL) – STUDENT WELFARE – CRISIS INTERVENTION;

• First Reading of Proposed Revisions to Board Policy FL(LOCAL) – STUDENT RECORDS;

• Purchase of approximately 13.57 acres of real property for a future campus or other district facilities; and

• Taxpayer Refunds (Recurring Item).