Over the last many months of guest columns, I have focused upon sharing information regarding bond project progress in an effort to be transparent as West Orange – Cove carefully utilizes stakeholder resources. As a school district, we are focused upon facility-based improvement, as well as the growth of our students, teachers, administrators, and our Board of Trustees. 

We are pleased to have a School Board that expects to be informed of and understand the new rules and regulations adopted each legislative session. Additionally, I am pleased to share that all of our board members go well beyond their required training hours so that they, too, can help lead the district. 

Board President Ruth Hancock graduated from Leadership TASB (Texas Association of School Boards) at the Summer Leadership Institute this past July. Leadership TASB provides the opportunity for selected trustees to participate in intensive training during a 10-month period. This includes working with other board members from across Texas to collaborate on projects. Participants also travel to observe first-hand best practice and cutting edge education programs. Board members who graduate from Leadership TASB become part of a distinguished class of Texas master board members. 

In addition to Mrs. Hancock, WOCCISD Board Member/Secretary Linda Platt-Bryant has been selected to be a part of Leadership TASB 2019-2020. Upon completion in June of 2020, Ms. Platt-Bryant will also become a master board member. 

Additionally, Board Member Tricia Stroud, most recently, was selected by the Texas Association of School Boards to serve as a facilitator during the recent TASB conference held in Dallas in September. These are only a few of the leadership opportunities that our board members have accepted. This does not include the many workshops that they attend routinely to make sure that WOCCISD is an all-encompassing school district. 

As superintendent, my goal is to make sure that our Board is knowledgeable and prepared to make the appropriate decisions to transform the lives of our students. Oftentimes, we overlook the hard work and the considerable training required as Boards work collectively to do what is best for students.

We believe in John Maxwell’s philosophy that “One is too small a number to achieve greatness.”

Go Mustangs!

 

Dr. Rickie R. Harris is the Superintendent at West Orange – Cove CISD