On Aug. 22, our doors will open to begin Highland Park ISD's 105th school year. While so much has changed over the years, our school district's long-standing tradition of excellence remains constant.
As in the past two summers, the last three months have been filled with pouring concrete, drilling, pulling electrical wire, plumbing, building and a lot of dust. We are extremely excited to open a brand new, beautiful John S. Bradfield Elementary (see photos above and below). In spite of record rains last fall, the interior of the building will be ready to welcome students. And, while it may be a few weeks before our playfields are ready, the new facility will be spectacular when it is completed.
The expansions at McCulloch Intermediate and HPMS (below) have been completed to include dozens of new classrooms and the interior of both schools has been vastly improved. A parking garage for teachers will significantly reduce the congestion around the campus as well as provide an emergency storm shelter for our students and staff.
Construction crews are still working to complete an addition to the northwest side of the high school. This has always been an ambitious project and, when completed, there will be new classrooms, a new gymnastics area, new locker rooms, and a new rehearsal hall for our award-winning band. On the third floor, the Moody Advanced Professional Studies center is still a month away from completion. We are confident that, when finished, this area will bring a world of new opportunities to our students.
In the spring, Texas lawmakers approved a school finance reform and property tax reduction bill that will bring changes to the state's complex school funding formula. The positive aspect of this bill is that it will allow HPISD to offer the largest salary increase to our staff in more than a decade. At the same time, the new formula will cause HPISD to receive less funding over time from the state. The silver lining is that the new legislation gives additional local control to the HPISD Board of Trustees to determine how to address future budget needs.
Last week, the Texas Education Agency released its annual accountability ratings. All of Highland Park ISD's schools received an A rating, as did the school district itself. Even with those ratings, our staff is constantly seeking ways to improve. This year, we have challenged every staff member to "Be Someone's Champion." In addition to being included, welcomed and respected, we believe all students should have at least one caring adult at their school who makes them feel supported in their studies and in life. Students need to know how much we as educators care for them, and how we are rooting for their success in every endeavor.
Whether your children are Eagles, Broncos, Huskies, Panthers, Raiders or Scots, and whether they are attending HPISD schools for the first time or concluding their HPISD career as seniors, we want 2019-20 to be their very best year. Thank you for being part of the incredible Highland Park ISD school community.
Enter to learn. Go forth to serve. See you at school!
Sincerely,
Dr. Tom Trigg, Superintendent