The year 2020 proved challenging to school leaders across the state, and 2021 was no different. And much like school teachers and staff, boards of trustees around Texas and the nation were once more confronted with the seemingly never-ending challenges related to a pandemic with no end. During the last two years, school board members have faced a number of difficult decisions.
January is School Board Recognition Month and Nacogdoches ISD is honored to celebrate its trustees for their dedication and commitment to the district’s schools and students in what can certainly be called a challenging environment.
“School board members are selfless volunteers who spend long hours at no pay working to ensure all of our students have the same opportunity to learn and grow,” NISD Superintendent Dr. Gabriel Trujillo said. “Celebrating School Board Recognition Month is one way to say ‘thanks’ for all they do.”
NISD’s Board of Trustees includes President Pam Fitch, Vice President James Montoya, Secretary Mindy Winslow, James Ervin, Farshid Niroumand, Leabeth Abt, and T.C. Grohman M.D.
School boards are designed to serve as a link between the community and the classroom. Trustees are elected to establish policies that provide the framework for public schools to operate within.
In addition to providing leadership and guidance for the district through normal operations, during the past year trustees signed off on incentives designed to acknowledge the stressful situations NISD teachers and staff have worked under for the past two years. Those measures included providing additional leave for staff testing positive for COVID-19 as well as longevity stipends that rewarded staff who returned to the district for the 2021-22 academic year.
“Our board was keenly interested in acknowledging the difficult work our teachers and staff have taken on the last two years,” Trujillo said. “I’m grateful our board members strongly support the work of this district and the ultimate goal of preparing students for success in school and beyond.”