The Spring Branch ISD Board of Trustees has been named one of only five 2007 Honor School Boards of Texas. This prestigious honor was announced Sept. 7 by the Texas Association of School Administrators’ (TASA) School Board Awards Committee.

Earning the state-level award along with SBISD were the school boards of Brenham, Mesquite, Stephenville and Clint ISDs. One of these five boards will be designated the Outstanding School Board of Texas during a joint convention session of the Texas Association of School Boards/TASA, which will be held Sept. 30 in Dallas.

The SBISD Board of Trustees will be interviewed by the School Board Awards Committee during the convention before the Outstanding Board is named. The Spring Branch Board last won Outstanding Texas School Board honors in 1983.

In July, the SBISD Board had been selected as the program’s regional winner. In his nomination letter, Dr. Duncan Klussmann, Superintendent of Schools, said the seven local Trustees, elected by the citizens of Spring Branch, “continually demonstrate their commitment to quality public education.”

“While individual members may hold divergent opinions, they always respect the end decision,” Dr. Klussmann stated. “I believe the mutual respect our Trustees have for the process of decision-making ultimately leads to their differences becoming their strengths.”

Boards are selected for demonstrating leadership as a policy-making body, supporting educational performance in accordance with state-established standards, supporting educational improvement projects, commitment to a Code of Ethics, providing financial support for the school system, participating in professional development workshops, placing the welfare of district children above personal and political motives, supporting public relations efforts and maintaining harmonious and supportive relationships among members.

“They are a team,” said Bob Stevenson, a local CPA and Board Budget Buddy, “and as a team they encourage input in the policy-making process—not only from the professional staff, but also from the patrons.”

The Board is composed of seven citizens elected by patrons of the district. Board members are selected at-large to serve overlapping terms of three years. They serve on the Board without pay.

SBISD Board of Trustee current members are Mike Falick, President; Susan Kellner, Vice President; Wayne Schaper, Sr., Secretary; Dr. Dave Converse; Theresa Kosmoski; Mary Grace Landrum; and Susan Mathews.

posted 07-24-07