Spring Branch ISD Featured News

In fall 2019, a group of interested Spring Branch community members applied and were selected to participate in a unique, year-long program, LeadSBISD. The program is aimed to encourage, engage and develop leaders and champions in the Spring Branch ISD community.

Chosen by lottery for LeadSBISD Cohort I, a group of 28 individuals, representing every middle school feeder patterns in the district, began meeting in January 2020 to learn from district leaders about different aspects of SBISD operations and initiatives. 

While in-person gatherings pivoted to Zoom sessions in the spring and throughout the remainder of their learning sessions due to COVID-19 precautions, the learning did not stop as the LeadSBISD cohort progressed through this series of topics throughout 2020:

January: The role of the school board and overview of school safety and security

February: Texas school finance and the SBISD budget process

April:  Academic response to COVID-19

October: Overview of the 2017 Bond program, including Technology upgrades

November: Community Relations and the Spring Branch Education Foundation

December: LeadSBISD Cohort I graduation celebrated at the Board Meeting

January 2021: Additional (optional) meeting to learn about SBISD Legislative Priorities and advocacy

LeadSBISD I graduates received a special presentation on the SBISD Board of Trustee legislative priorities.

Finance is a priority, with a key goal of protecting Texas school districts from being penalized for lower enrollment due to COVID-19. Other priorities include school safety, technology and digital learning, accountability and assessment, pre-kindergarten and teacher compensation and benefits (TRS Active Care).

The cohort also learned about how the Spring Branch community can help lobbying for the needs of the district, including strategies for advocating for specific bills that would be beneficial for the district. The Board expects this Legislative session will include coordinated social media engagement with our local area Senate and House of Representative members.

Dr. Blaine brought the presentation full circle by explaining how the district priorities around literacy and numeracy relate to the legislative priorities.

Congratulations to Cohort I for completing the LeadSBISD program. Thank you for your commitment to and support of SBISD.

Interested in joining LeadSBISD? Look for information on applying for Cohort II in Fall 2021.