Education
BY HALEY VELASCO
New schools at Alvin ISD open job positions Sta ng positions for Barbara Bennett Ele- mentary and two Iowa Colony schools are now open after Alvin ISD’s board of trustees approved them at its Feb. 13 meeting. The gist The positions for the two new schools are currently unspeci ed, but come as both Bar- bara Bennett Elementary School and Iowa Colony Junior High School are expected to open in the fall. With 12th graders being added to Iowa Colony High School in the 2024-25 school year, the following positions are open: • Additional administrator • Counselor • Multiple teaching positions Iowa Colony HS open positions
Pearland ISD calls for $105M bond election The Pearland ISD board of trustees at its Feb. 13 meeting approved the calling of a $105 million bond election for May 4. The overview PISD’s new bond proposal breaks down into two separate propositions, titled Proposition A and Proposition B. The rst, which makes up the bulk of the total bond package, will go mostly toward construction upgrades and renovations throughout the district, according to agenda documents. The second will be for technology upgrades and expansions throughout the district. Trustees will canvass the results on May 14. What they’re saying The board approved Proposition A of the bond in a 7-0 vote, and approved Proposition B in a
PISD bond breakdown
Proposition A: $75M Construction upgrades
and renovations throughout the district
Total: $105M
Proposition B: $30M Technology upgrades
and expansions throughout the district
SOURCE: PEARLAND ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
6-1 vote, with trustee Kris Schoe er as the lone vote against it. He said he was concerned with excessive screen time, students’ mental health and teachers being dependent on technology to teach. Trustee Amanda Kuhn supported both propo- sitions. She said she believes both propositions are vital and will allow PISD to keep up with other surrounding school districts. Early voting for the May 4 election will run from April 22-30, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s website.
SOURCE: ALVIN ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
Pearland ISD denies chaplains to be school counselors
"I do not want to alienate any person that wants to give back to the kids in the right way, but I want
chaplains to either volunteer or be hired by the district, according to agenda documents. A chaplain is a person who conducts religious exercises in circumstances that are not explicitly religious, according to AdventHealth University. PISD’s resolution will continue to allow chap- lains to visit or become volunteers, as long as they adhere to the volunteer policies stated on the district’s website.
Pearland ISD will not be allowed to employ chaplains as school counselors after the district’s board of trustees approved a resolution at its Feb. 13 meeting. What’s happening? In 2023, the 88th Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 763, which requires school boards to vote before March 1 to adopt a policy allowing
to make sure that we protect our kids at all times from the things that they need to be
protected from." LARRY BERGER, PISD SUPERINTENDENT
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PEARLAND FRIENDSWOOD EDITION
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