EDUCATION
Top education stories to watch in 2023
New superintendent Mark Foust out to connect with ‘diverse communities’ of Northwest ISD BY MARK FADDEN
ANOTHER STORY TO FOLLOW IN 2023
Keller ISD set to implement guardian program within schools The Keller ISD board of trustees voted 4-3 in December to move forward with the guardian program that will allow teachers and other sta members to carry guns on school campuses. The Texas School Guardian Program was developed in 2009 as an e ort to have an armed approach on school campuses, especially in rural areas, according to a presentation during the meeting. According to board President Charles Randklev, 40% of school districts in Texas use the guardian program. Police departments in Fort Worth and Keller provide 16 school resource o ces, or SROs, that cover the district’s middle schools and high schools at a cost of $1.7 million. Five were added this fall. Keller ISD board of trustees meets Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. 350 Keller Parkway, Keller. www.kellerisd.net Northwest ISD board of trustees meets Feb. 13, 27 at 6 p.m. 2001 Texan Drive, Fort Worth www.nisdtx.org MEETINGS WE COVER
encouraged me at a time in my life when I did not believe in myself,” Foust said. “I became an educator because I was sure that there were other kids like me who needed to be inspired and needed to be pushed.” Foust said he recognizes that the greatest challenge facing Northwest ISD is the rapid growth and the number of new families joining the district. “Our facilities and construction teams are working at a feverish pace to ensure we have the best learning spaces for our students,” he said. “Next year, the district will open four elementary schools and our seventh middle school. Two of those elemen- tary schools are replacements for aging facilities, but two are additional campuses to address the growth.” Foust realizes the key to managing such a large and fast growing district as Northwest ISD is communication.
He said that one of his rst goals this spring semester is to make a con-
NORTHWEST ISD Mark Foust was appointed the district’s next superin- tendent during the board of trustees meeting Jan. 9. He replaces Michael Gri n who was appointed interim superinten- dent following the unexpected death of David Hicks on Sept. 9. Hicks was in his rst year at the district. Foust has nearly three decades of experience in public education, which includes serving as the Kerrville ISD superintendent for the past six years. He holds a doctorate from the University of Houston along with a master’s degree from the University of Houston-Victoria and an undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University. Foust said he became an educator because he was inspired by his high school English teacher and a coach. “They believed in me and
nection with as many people as he can and each of the diverse communities in the district. “I want to build strong foun- dational relationships across the district, and together we will con- tinue the tradition of excellence in Northwest ISD,” he said. Communication will also take a front row seat this spring with regard to future school funding. “We need to do an exceptional job of communicating to our communi- ties about the growth in our district and the work of the Long Range Planning Committee ahead of a May 6 bond election.” Mark Foust
TAVOLO PARK
LIVE & THRIVE WITH FRIENDS OVER ��
1 & 2 Bedrooms For The 55+ Active Adult
Weekly Social Calendar
Resort-Style Pool & Sun Deck
Maintenance-Free Living
Pet Friendly
Chef-Inspired Kitchens
12
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Powered by FlippingBook