CISD honors Trustees during School Board Appreciation Month

January is School Board Appreciation Month and Crandall ISD is celebrating its Trustees for their dedication and commitment to the district and its students.

The theme of this year’s School Board Appreciation Month—“Forward, Together”—highlights the collaboration among school leadership, teachers and parents on behalf of students.

“Recognizing the efforts of our volunteer school board is so important because of all the hard work Trustees put into making CISD a success,” said CISD Superintendent Dr. Wendy Eldredge. “Our students and staff are fortunate to have a wonderful group dedicated to helping them realize their goals.”

Throughout the past 12 months, board members have helped pass a record-breaking $365-million bond that will impact several areas, including two new elementary schools, high school additions—which incorporate a Career-Technical Education center—security, technology, and an expanded transportation system. A Performing Arts Center was also part of the bond.

As evidenced by the projects above, Trustees have also helped shepherd an unprecedented student enrollment surge into the district, which has grown more than 35 percent in two years.

Dan Troxell, executive director of the Texas Association of School Boards, applauded the efforts of Trustees in providing leadership and good governance so that school districts can focus on educating the 5.4-million public schoolchildren in their care.

“Texas school boards are critical to the success of students and the future of Texas,” Troxell said. “Boards lead their districts in the right direction, providing oversight, setting goals, overseeing the budget, and selecting and evaluating the superintendent. These volunteers serve for the betterment of their local schools and communities.”

CISD Trustees, last year, adopted a $73,194,000 budget and lowered the district’s tax rate for the fourth-consecutive time. The budget reflects the district’s continued commitment to safety and teachers. CISD’s Police Department now stands at 10 officers, which ranks at the top of Kaufman County school districts operating their own police force.

CISD board members are:

• Rick Harrell, Place 6-President (15 years)
• Dr. Sharon Long, Place 3-Vice President (4 years)
• Jennifer Hiser, Place 7-Secretary (9 years)
• Stacie Warren, Place 1 (11 years)
• Ryan Eskridge, Place 4 (7 years)
• Amy Barber, Place 5 (4 years)

Place 2 on the school board is vacant and open for candidate filing later this month. It will be on the May 6 General Election ballot.