Some of the ISSUES WITHIN OUR DISTRICT:

Rapid Growth of student population
While bricks and mortar ARE NOT the measure of our District, our student population has grown tremendously in the past six years. Wise, prudent stewardship of the public trust has served to protect our District and our taxpayers. The economic principle is simple; you rent to satisfy short term needs and purchase to address long term needs. Our student growth is undeniable and dictates that our tax dollars must be spent on permanent structures instead of costly, inefficient temporary buildings.

I believe that the enrollment triggers and the shelf registered bond philosophy employed the last facilities planning committee has worked well in protecting our District from the costs and effects associated with belatedly reacting to the manifested growth in our student population. The reality is that while growth in our student population has slowed it has not stopped. Our District covers approximately 148 square miles with less than19% of the available landmass developed. 

Transportation
Transportation issues are inherent to growth and are compounded in our District by the fact that our infrastructure is not designed to flow the volumes of traffic we currently experience. Transportation is an ongoing concern which must be monitored and addressed constantly.    

Student Involvement
Student involvement will always be a major issue. Enrollment will soon top the 12,000 student mark. As the population grows the need for increased opportunity for involvement must grow as well. Life and College opportunities increase and drop out rates decrease when students are involved. Magnolia and Magnolia West High Schools respectively have seen success both academically and athletically, setting the standard higher for the coming year.    

Communications
Communication between teachers and parents is readily available and is promoted by the District, utilizing the technology and the policies that currently exist within the District. It is our individual responsibility as parents to actively establish and maintain effective dialog with the teachers assigned to our children. I want to promote and encourage parental involvement in the educational process of our children at all levels.

School Finance
Every taxing authority is reporting revenue shortfalls. School finance represents the single greatest problem facing the District in the coming year as without equitable funding, our children and the taxpayers of our District will be detrimentally impacted. We need to be interacting with our state level representation in order to protect our interests collectively as a school district and as taxpayers. I will continue to strive to stay involved on both the state and local level in effort to protect the interests of our children and our District.

Questions or Comments? Click Here to Email Cecil