August 15, 2011

Kicking off the program were several Granbury High School students.  United States and Texas flags were posted by a JROTC color guard, and student council vice president Morgan Willett led the group in the pledges to the flags.  Blake Bridges, an all-state choir member, sang the national anthem.  Student council president Caitlin Brooks delivered the invocation.

Delivering remarks were superintendent Ron Mayfield and school board president Charlie Cloud, who both praised the hard work of all employees and also challenged the group to set goals and expectations for the new year.  They both referenced cutbacks in state funding that will require staff to think of new ways to provide continued programs and services to students.

Mayfield pointed out that the district and nine of ten campuses – including GHS – would have been Exemplary, if the Texas Education Agency had maintained the same accountability rules used in 2009 and 2010.  GHS teachers and staff were welcomed on stage for the improvements in student performance made at the school, which achieved a Recognized rating in 2010.

Assistant superintendent Carol Howard introduced Secondary Teacher of the Year Julie Morris and Elementary Teacher of the Year Deborah Ottaway.  Morris teaches at Acton Middle School, while Ottaway is at Mambrino School.

The keynote speaker was Michael Daggs, who challenged all teachers and staff to be engaged as they work with students every day.  His energetic presentation encouraged everyone to keep a positive outlook in order to maximize their impact on the students served in GISD.

Store manager Pat Wilson and community coordinator Kathryne Bosco, representing the new H-E-B grocery store scheduled to open in September, spoke to the staff about their commitment to education, including rewarding top teachers and supporting school activities.  H-E-B hosted a breakfast for all district employees prior to convocation and also handed out goody bags before the program.

Also addressing the assembled group was Lake Granbury Medical Center chief executive officer David Orcutt, who complimented the district on the education that his children have received in Granbury schools.

The program culminated with the presentation of banners to Recognized and Exemplary campuses.  In addition to Cloud, school board trustees Nancy Alana, Dr. Barbara Herrington, Mark Jackson, Micky Shearon, B.J. Wallace, and Don Walton presented the banners to each school as teachers and staff came on stage.

Exemplary campuses are AMS, Acton Elementary School, and Oak Woods School.  Schools that are Recognized are Baccus Elementary School, Brawner Intermediate School, Crossland Ninth Grade Center, Granbury Middle School, Mambrino School, and Roberson Elementary School.

In addition, STARS Accelerated High School received a special banner.  Although the state's alternative accountability system does not allow those campuses to be rated Exemplary, STARS has consistently earned Gold Performance Acknowledgements from the Texas Education Agency.  This recognition makes STARS a top alternative academic high school that offers the best non-traditional school setting in Granbury and the surrounding area.