Superintendent’s column from district newsletter “MISD Matters” – June/July 2016 Issue
Future is Bright for Mesquite ISD Graduates, District as a Whole
Congratulations, 2016 graduates and all of you who inspired, loved, supportedand educated these fine young men and women. In total, Mesquite ISD honored nearly 2,500 graduates in six ceremonies.
One of our graduates credited his sixth-grade teacher at Seabourn Elementary for planting his first seeds of self-confidence and supporting him as he grew from a meek, awkward preteen into an articulate high school class valedictorian. That student will attend Rice University on a full scholarship next year.
I felt immense pride in hearing that victory as well as shaking hands of other impressive students from Horn, North, West, Poteet, Mesquite High and Mesquite Academy. Collectively, the Class of 2016 earned more than $28 million in scholarships. Our student-athletes set a Mesquite ISD record by earning 115 collegiate-level scholarships – never before had we broken the 100 mark.I’m looking forward to hearing great things about their futures, too.
In my view, our job as a school district is to craft student experiences that lead to positive adult ones in college and careers.Accordingly, here are some of my goals:
• Increase college-going rate (two- to four-year colleges) from roughly 60 percent to 80 percent.
• Increase student participation in dual-credit courses.
• Create a greater alignment between instruction and career pathways for students.
• Provide a true 21st Century class environment.
• Reduce overcrowding and eliminate portable buildings.
• Place full efforts on Mesquite ISD’sPreK-2 Initiative – ensuring all MISD students achieve on-level reading level by third grade.
To that end, our new, five-year district strategic plan is being developed this fall and will cover:
- Teaching and Learning
- Early Literacy
- Human Resources
- Funding and Finance
- Facilities
- Community Engagement
- Communications
Thank you to the Strategic 50 – what we call our strategic planning committee. This group of educators, parents, students and other representatives from our community and local businesses helped brainstormand set the framework ofour plan objectives and strategies. This fall, even more volunteers will join this cause and help us create our action steps. Watch for further details on our strategic plan, which is expected to be in place by the start of 2017.