Spring Branch ISD Featured News

#IAMSBISD Awards: Kathy Goss and Leann Newton, SBISD retiree Steve Brunsman

The IAMSBISD award is a special designation of honor for employees who go above and beyond in support of one or more of our five Core Values- Every Child, Collective Greatness, Collaborative Spirit, Limitless Curiosity and Moral Compass.

At the Dec. 11 regular meeting, Kathy Goss and Leann Newton, recent retirees and co-curators of the Altharetta Yeargin Art Museum, were recognized with the #IAMSBISD Award. Their commitment to SBISD is as limitless as the curiosity they instill for Every Child.

Students and community have benefited from the many experiences made possible through the loving service of Goss and Newton to SBISD through its art museum, one of the few, if not the only public school district art museum in America.

Trustee Pam Goodson stated, “Art alone does not a museum make – it’s the curators who lovingly care for the collection, inspire others to enjoy and learn from and about the art, and encourage the artist inside each of us to find voice and be an artist, too. It also takes vision, hard work and courage to try new things, that truly makes a place and its people stand out in their field.”

At the Dec. 11 regular meeting, Steve Brunsman, SBISD’s long-time Communications Director, was honored with the #IAMSBISD Award for his more than 20 years of service prior to his retirement this month.

Brunsman has led SBISD’s communications team to earn every level of award at the state and national level for excellence in school district communications and public relations, from heart-warming videos to two winning bond campaigns. 

During special remarks, Trustee Chris Vierra detailed how grateful the district is for Brunsman’s continued leadership and counsel. “As Steve retires this week, we thank him for his incredible contributions to SBISD, not only for his words, his wisdom, his leadership and his talents as a writer, but also for his heart and kind and gentle soul – the true embodiment of SBISD’s Core Values.”

Spring Branch ISD participates in the CenterPoint Energy’s Commercial Load Management Standard Offer, which aims to reduce summer peak demands and is a cost-effective program and helps to establish savings for SBISD. Currently, 12 campuses are enrolled in the program and this year, CenterPoint Energy awarded $174,538.59 to SBISD.  

Annually, SBISD appreciates the opportunity to share and celebrate the Collaborative Spirit and Collective Greatness that is exemplified through our partnership with CenterPoint Energy and the company’s Commercial Load Management Standard Offer Program. Since 2013, SBISD and CenterPoint Energy have been proud partners in this initiative, yielding a total of $1,387,714.82 for the district since the program’s inception.   

A year ago, at the December Regular Board Meeting, Trustees voted to approve the final roster for the first ever board-led initiative to grow and develop within a cadre of parents and community members a deeper understanding of the depth and breadth of district operations and the role of our board of trustees.

With a cohort of 28 individuals representing every middle school feeder pattern in the district, the LeadSBISD program was launched with excitement and optimism last January 2020. 

Throughout the last year, the first cohort of LeadSBISD members were able to take a deep dive into everything from school finance to the 2017 Bond Program, from technology to academics amidst a pandemic. They’ve learned about engagement opportunities, the Education Foundation and much more.

During special remarks, board of trustees Vice President Karen Peck said, “The program was a success based on the feedback our members have provided and the new relationships we have begun to forge would also affirms that this has been a meaningful experience for all of us amidst the year that has been 2020.
 
“We express our gratitude for and pride in each of our LeadSBISD cohort members. We are so grateful for your commitment of time and learning in support of SBISD and Every Child. We are so pleased to recognize and thank you and make you official LeadSBISD graduates!”

View the roster of LeadSBISD Cohort I members here.