Waller ISD Administration Team Face-off at Workshop
The Waller ISD Administration Team, consisting of
district leaders in schools and departments, were
invited to a two day workshop on July 28-29 led by
the Waller ISD Superintendent, Richard McReavy.
The workshop began with a welcoming from
Superintendent, Richard McReavy. McReavy discussed
the great things Waller ISD and its students
accomplished over the past year. The welcoming led
into team building activities organized by the
workshop planners, Wayne C. Schultz Jr. High Asst.
Principals, Tracy Webb and Ray Breeden, Holleman
Elementary Asst. Principal, Melissa Crosby, H.T.
Jones Elementary Asst. Principal, Suzanne Kiphen,
and Waller High School Asst. Principal, Frankie
Johnson.
Brian Merrell, Schultz Jr. High Principal, presented
the “Slow Down, Work in Progress” element. Teams
formed, compared calendars, and collaborated on the
positive experiences that occurred last school year,
goals, instructional needs, and improvements. Teams
were formed and discussed methods that worked or
improvements that need to be made in the schools.
Each team shared their team discussion overview with
the entire Administration team.
Ted Jongbloed, Director of Technology, gave the
“Power Lines” overview. Jongbloed discussed
technology and communication improvements. Waller
ISD converted to a new business/finance and student
management system that will benefit the districts
overall efficiency.
The Curriculum Department gave an instructional
coaching lesson and Joy Kanyo, Director of
Curriculum and Instruction, gave a project funding
update.
Day 2 started out with an “Under Construction”
report by Facilities and Planning Director, Jeanine
Slaughter. Slaughter’s presentation entailed fun
facts about the various school bond construction
projects and construction updates. When Slaughter
concluded, the Administration Team boarded onto a
school bus and toured the new stadium and each
school.
Upon return to the workshop location, the team
listened to guest speaker, 30 year educator and HISD
Administrator, Frank Whiteside. Whiteside’s
presentation was about “The Challenges of Change”.
Whiteside talked about the challenges of change
during his 30 year career and of the new buildings
and renovations in Waller ISD. Whiteside said, “Any
person can construct a building, that is a simple
skill anyone can acquire, but it is the vision that
will lead the people within the new schools and
buildings that matters most. Superintendent,
Richard McReavy, has that vision.”
Superintendent McReavy closed the day as he looked
back into the last school year. He talked about the
great things Waller ISD accomplished in the last
several years and of the wonderful things still to
come. Waller ISD passed the largest bond in Waller
ISD’s history by a landslide. This was due to the
community wanting to accommodate Waller ISD’s growth
and do what is best for the students. McReavy said,
“The new additions are to benefit our students. We
want them to be a part of it and want them to be
proud of the improvements.”
Despite obstacles, such as Hurricane Ike and
litigation over the bond, Waller ISD came out
undefeated in the end. Waller ISD is building a new
stadium, renovating two Jr. Highs, building a new
elementary, and has made many improvements in
several areas throughout the school district. In
preliminary TEA data, Waller ISD is on the bubble of
becoming a “Recognized” district. Waller ISD
received an “Academically Acceptable” school
district accountability rating with over 71% of
schools rated either “Exemplary” or “Recognized”.
The school district received “Exemplary” on 17 out
of 25 indicators, “Recognized” on 7 of the 25
indicators, and “Academically Acceptable” on 1 of
the 25 indicators. These are the highest scores in
Waller ISD’s history! McReavy said “We will
continue to perform better every year. We want every
child to be successful.”
Waller ISD is having a Waller ISD Stadium Grand
Opening on August 28th at the Waller High
School vs. LaMarque High School football game.
There will be tons of fun for the entire family!
Numerous fun-filled activities for the entire
community will occur prior to kick-off! There will
tailgating parties, FREE food, refreshments, music,
and activities prior to the football game beginning
at 5:00 p.m. in the new bulldog stadium parking
lot. The entertaining evening will close with a
post-game fireworks display for all of the bulldog
fans to enjoy. Pre-sale tickets are now on sale at
Waller High School from 9 am – 3 pm. Contact
Marianne Kosik, Waller ISD Public Relations, for
more Waller ISD information or visit
www.wallerisd.net.
