In honor of School Board Recognition Month, Highland Park ISD took time during the Jan. 19 regular Board of Trustees meeting to celebrate and thank School Board members for serving every HPISD student every day, especially during this most challenging year.
Trustees each received a piece of student artwork commissioned to represent this year’s theme, Navigating to Success and all eight HPISD schools collaborated to produce a special video message to the trustees. The artwork and video were presented at the meeting in recognition of the countless hours trustees spent this past year guiding the district through the pandemic. The year required an unusual combination of skills and talents from district leaders. Unexpected circumstances resulted in changes in laws and regulations, and those statewide changes required adaptability, quick problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership at the district level.
Navigating through unfamiliar waters became a daily task that required a steady hand on the rudder, and that’s exactly what our district’s board provided. When we needed them, our trustees came through, charting a course that protected our most vulnerable while ensuring that academic progress could continue for all students.
HPISD will continue to celebrate trustees throughout the month of January in honor of School Board Recognition Month. We encourage staff, students, parents and community members to send a note of thanks to our HPISD Trustees who volunteer countless hours to support our staff, students, and community.
During the trustee meeting, the school board also elected Trustee Tom Sharpe to serve as Board Vice-President. The reorganization of the Board was prompted by the recent retirement of Board Vice President Kelly Walker.
HPISD's Trustees are:
Jim Hitzelberger, President
Tom Sharpe, Vice President
Lee Michaels, Secretary
Edward Herring, Finance Officer
Stacy Kelly, Trustee
Jae Ellis, Trustee
Thank you HPISD Trustees for charting a course that created a safe environment while ensuring that academic progress could continue for all students.