The CISD Board of Trustees kicked off the new year with their January 13, 2025, meeting, covering everything from academics and athletics to bond projects and student success. The meeting started with the approval of the consent agenda, moving things forward smoothly.
Principal Lorianne Toombs shared exciting updates from the middle school and elementary campuses, highlighting a strong start to the semester. Testing is in full swing, with NWEA, class, and CLI assessments underway, setting the stage for valuable growth data to be presented in February. Meanwhile, the CMS Robotics Team is making waves, ranking 18th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd as they gear up for the February 8 state competition and the February 26 Worlds Qualifier at TSTC. Coach Sowa is feeling good about their chances, with two teams currently ranked 12th and 17th in the world! Basketball season is keeping students active, and after a well-deserved holiday break, energy is high across the campuses.
Over at CHS, Principal Steve Komppa reported that robotics continues to dominate, with redesign efforts from last year paying off. The team has high hopes for state and world qualification. Testing is also in progress, with a focus on tracking student growth. The district’s PLC model is making an impact, earning CHS a spot at the CASA Midwinter Convention, where they will present their instructional approach at the state level.
One major initiative this semester is Monday Night Labs, a credit recovery program designed to help students regain credits lost due to attendance issues—without having to attend summer school. The district also rolled out a new community service tracking system, requiring students to complete 10 hours per year, totaling 40 hours by graduation.
The board reviewed progress on its long-range goal to boost College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) compliance from 66% in 2024 to 92% by 2029. Right now, 89% of CISD students meet CCMR criteria, with 30% earning industry-based certifications. Among CHS seniors, 39 of 41 are on the Distinguished Plan, and 34 are already CCMR qualified. Wallace School is also contributing, with 16 current students and nine recent graduates, including four Distinguished graduates and five who completed foundational plans under IEP requirements.
Bond 2024 projects are moving along! The new baseball and softball fields are nearing completion and will be ready for action next month. The Lady Wolves have already begun practicing on their new field and the Wolves are already set to start practicing on the new field, February 3. Renovations on the concession stands are progressing in sync with the fields, while groundwork continues on the CTE building, with more updates coming in February. The stadium lighting project is on track, with discussions ongoing about reusing existing lights. To top it off, landscaping efforts are in place to get everything looking sharp for spring.
District safety remains a top priority, with Dr. Larry Polk reporting that a December intruder audit by the state found zero issues. Weekly walkthroughs by the School Resource Officer, Director of Operations, and campus staff continue to reinforce safety protocols, with all interior and exterior doors required to remain locked at all times.
The board approved a $99,164 grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture to upgrade cafeteria equipment, particularly at CHS, where the existing equipment dates back to the school's original construction. This upgrade will boost efficiency and improve the student dining experience.
Discussions also took place regarding the Days of Grace lease agreement, which was initially set to expire in May 2025. The program, which supports daycare and pre-K needs in the city, requested an early renewal due to HVAC installation costs and plans to expand to serve three-year-olds. Concerns were raised about how this expansion might overlap with district-offered programs, particularly given potential legislative changes regarding funding for private early education programs. The board will revisit the agreement at a future meeting, with a proposal for an annual facility walkthrough to track improvements and ensure alignment with district standards.
During a closed session, the board reviewed personnel recommendations, which were unanimously approved. The quarterly board meeting was rescheduled from February 9 to February 23 to avoid a Super Bowl weekend conflict. The next board meeting is set for February 10.
A highlight of the meeting was the recognition of outstanding CISD staff and teachers, for the month of December, for their dedication and hard work:
CHS Teachers: Coach Brandon Murray and Coach Tino Silva
CHS Staff: Thomas Molina and Leticia Silva
CES Teacher: Tracy Komppa
CES Staff: Amanda Reyna
CMS Teacher: Lorie Lindsey
CMS Staff: Jennifer Hale
The meeting wrapped up with appreciation for the board's contributions and an exciting announcement—CISD will present at the Midwinter Conference in Austin from January 26–29, showcasing the district’s achievements at the state level. With so much progress and momentum, 2025 is shaping up to be a big year for CISD!
