GREENSPOINT– Some 500 educators and supporters of the North Forest ISD gathered for lunch last Friday at the Marriott Hotel, and heard a report on the “State of the District 2010” delivered by a Powerpoint program, and an animated talk by NF ISD superintendent Dr. Adrain Johnson.
The meeting started with welcoming remarks from the 2010-11 Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Tamica Kirby-Barnes, NF High School principal Dr. C. A. Williams, and Board of Managers president George McShan. In his remarks, he noted the “incredible progress” of the district in the last two years, with 6 Recognized campuses, and a new attitude toward management and education.
Board of Managers’ Carolyn Bullard-Williams introduced the staff produced Powerpoint review of the District’s progress. This video covered the high points of the year, including the Mission, the Vision and the Staregies which are guiding the new NFISD.
Strategic Priorites on the video included Student Achievement, Quality Workforce and Compensation, Technologically Advanced Facilities, Financial Stability and Governance, and Safety and Community Involvement.
Superintendent Johnson’s talk elaborated on each of these themes, with personal experiences and heartfelt dedication to achieving greatness within the District. He noted that “we’ve come a long way” with reference to the last 200 years of minority struggle for equality, as well as the last two years of improvement at the District.
He singles out the Board of Managers for their help in the achievements. He also presented recognition to his department heads.
In his own enthusiastic way, Johnson said “we want to be outstanding. A new day brings new opportunity, and there is a New Day.”
Johnson also touched on some of the problems of the District, and assured the audience that they were being solved. One of the biggest, the Unacceptable rating at the high school, is being met with a new spirit, new leadership, community involvement, and state help, he said.
He repeatedly made reference to the relationship between the school district and the community, and how they need to help each other to move forward economically and educationally.
Highlights of the year that Dr. Johnson referred to in his talk included: a YES charter school within the district, to offer an educational option to academically interested students; a dual language learning environment; a partnership with Houston Community College for dual credit/college courses; use of Title I Priority Schools grant to improve the high school; receipt of a $1 million BP grant; a full day Early Childhood program; recruitment of highly qualified teachers, including the TFA program; computer access of student information from home computers; website redesign; expansion of a Business Partners Program; community festivals, clean-up, and outreach; a revamped and award winning police department. In addition, the District is working to establish an adjunct Education Foundation to facilitate funding of additonal advanced programs.
The luncheon closed with remarks from Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, whose interest in the District has helped raise large sums of money for improvements to facilities and programs. She celebrated the “Bounty of Diversity” represented by North Forest.