Schools - page 3

The Biden-Harris Administration announced the recipients of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition, funded by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. EPA selected a number of Texas school districts to receive funding, including Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD to receive $2,200,000. The overall funding for Texas is $31,510,000, which will be used to purchase a statewide total of 123 new and clean school buses to replace older, diesel-fueled school buses that have been linked to asthma and other conditions that harm the health of students and surrounding communities.

These rebates will help school districts purchase over 3,400 clean school buses—92% of which will be electric— to accelerate the transition to zero emission vehicles and produce cleaner air in and around schools and communities. Under the Program’s multiple grant and rebate funding opportunities to date, the EPA has awarded almost $3 billion to fund approximately 8,500 school bus replacements at over 1,000 schools.

In September 2023, the EPA announced the availability of at least $500 million for its 2023 Clean School Bus rebates. The rebate application period closed in February 2024 with an overwhelming response from school districts across the country seeking to purchase electric and clean school buses. Given the level of demand, including from low-income communities, Tribal nations, and U.S. territories, the EPA doubled the initial amount of available funding in this round to a total of nearly $1 billion.

This third round of funding will build on the previous investments of almost $2 billion via the Clean School Bus Program’s 2022 Rebates and 2023 Grants to further improve air quality in and around schools, reduce greenhouse gas pollution fueling the climate crisis, and help accelerate America’s leadership in developing the clean vehicles of the future.

The selections announced will provide funds to school districts in 47 states and Washington D.C., along with several federally recognized Tribes and U.S. territories. Prioritized school districts in low-income, rural, and Tribal communities make up approximately 45 percent of the selected projects and will receive approximately 67 percent of the total funding. The program advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved and overburdened by pollution.

The EPA is also partnering with other federal agencies through the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to provide school districts with robust technical assistance to ensure effective implementation.

The Charles Butt Foundation, a non-profit pursuing a more equitable and prosperous future for all Texans through education and community partnerships, has selected Bridge City Middle School Principal Grady Welborn as one of 30 principals from traditional and charter school districts across Texas to attend a weeklong summer institute at the Principals’ Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

With this new cohort, the Charles Butt Foundation will have supported more than 1,600 educators to attend training at Harvard through the Raising School Leaders program, an initiative designed to develop stronger school leaders who will enhance the quality of education across Texas. The Charles Butt Foundation covers expenses for the attendees including tuition, travel, hotel, and other discretionary costs for a total investment of more than $10 million since the program’s inception.

The Raising School Leaders program is designed to inspire, challenge, and empower school leaders to bring lasting impact to their campuses and communities, the entire state of Texas, and beyond. Attendees will participate in a weeklong leadership development institute led by Harvard faculty and other national and international experts. Following the Harvard Institute, attendees remain a part of the program’s statewide network of school leaders, work together to create change at the campus and district levels, and receive continuous support and professional development.

Mr. Welborn is an innovative leader at the middle school campus, and we are excited about this opportunity he has been afforded, and its positive impacts at BCMS.

“Great teachers, along with strong school and district leaders, represent the most significant influencers of academic achievement and supportive culture,” said Tim Miller, Director of Leadership Development at the Charles Butt Foundation. “Our alumni report that their Harvard experience is the best professional development they have ever experienced and that they return to their campuses energized, inspired, and empowered to make meaningful change that benefits all students.”

For this year’s Raising School Leaders cohort, preference was given to school leaders from districts that are considered rural or had a student enrollment of less than 5,500. “As demographics shift in Texas, we recognize that the needs of schools in rural and smaller districts are unique. Creating a space for school leaders in rural and smaller districts to find commonalities, problem solve, and build a network of support is an important component of this year’s Raising School Leaders program,” added Miller.

West Orange-Cove CISD voters approved the $72M bond proposition on the May ballot.

“The Board of Trustees and I are humbled by the trust placed in us by the voters of West Orange-Cove CISD,” stated Dr. Rickie Harris, Superintendent of West Orange-Cove CISD. “Your endorsement not only validates our efforts but also your dedication to the well-being and education of our children.”

With the approval of the bond proposition, the district pledges to uphold its commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency. Every dollar will be meticulously managed to ensure the successful execution of construction projects aimed at enhancing the learning environment for students.

As the district embarks on this transformative journey, it looks forward to continued collaboration with the community to shape a brighter future for generations to come.

Lamar State College Orange held its Annual Employee Awards Luncheon on April 30, 2024. LSCO is grateful for every member of its faculty and staff who work tirelessly to ensure that each student achieves academic, professional, and personal excellence. With their hard work and dedication, LSCO is truly a place where hope meets opportunity.

Award Recipients include:

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝

• Cristy Smith

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝

• Audrey Ewer

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭’𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝

• Hank Ramsey

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭’𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞

• Stephanie Jones

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭’𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐬 & 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞

• Misty Dominguez

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝

• George Scarborough

𝐒𝐆𝐀 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲’𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨:

• Jacqueline Singleton

𝐒𝐆𝐀 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲’𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨:

• Kendra De La Fuente

𝟓-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:

• Charlotte Barker
• Conswella “Connie” Brock
• Audrey Ewer
• Joseph “Joey” Hargrave
• Brian Hull
• Jessica Jaeger
• Byron Lumpkin

𝟏𝟎-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:

• Tim Hanson
• Amy Moore
• Carissa Saenz
• David Simar
• Samantha Smith

𝟏𝟓-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:

• Geneva Adams
• Jessica Montgomery
• Jennifer Trotter
• Mandee Tucker

𝟐𝟎-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:

• Suzanne Baker
• Diane Dotson

𝟑𝟎-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:

• Matthew McClure

𝟒𝟎-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:

• Andrew “Andy” Preslar

𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:

• Dr. Kim Jongchul (17 years of Service)
• Andy Preslar (40 years of Service)
• Vicki Norville (23 years of Service)