[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6557003,"mediaKeyId","3337880-ac5b926d1825fb47f367697154fb7bba","parentId",3337880,"title","Spring ISD board adopts new vision, limits superintendent hiring power and names interim superintendent","audioSeconds",676,"startMs",5380000,"endMs",6056000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3337880-ac5b926d1825fb47f367697154fb7bba&start=5380&end=6056","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3337880-ac5b926d1825fb47f367697154fb7bba/thumbnail_5380000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6557003/Texas/Spring-ISD-board-adopts-new-vision-limits-superintendent-hiring-power-and-names-interim-superintendent","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557003-fb73a6879f3c14dd9c306b6d66392b6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770548590&Signature=cX7RJJrYvyhsvc8VqUdKOuxg3qr46~GAwTilEpQ-gxqnwCZUfylsHFSga08II0ueJECf3GcIWpSCkQ0egUB22spxUwELhWk7GjnhCtWoYi4LY~qjBYli90oAo9Em0UQAQ5s-PZ-PGgbM3pd59Ue~KrzaT9RoRgdnhMs4yqgiMoH3WsKYBdq0ispuV8aeMLyrQ-jiem~PJ~BVSQ~whavN2hNNSasQ02XmfbrkaB0fNTaeRTyakSkVCwx-lUUPRLLKBrGD4wBj4HWuCdHalP79cQOpPSZ0XCTP2o2EGuzD3b~-rQsV-yNOUym3qWtAJnBynPHQcFc4oHBsrssy3gKtRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-14T22:14:05Z","article","Spring Independent School District trustees on May 13 unanimously adopted a shorter, revised district vision, approved new board \"guardrails,\" adopted a resolution requiring board approval for some hires, and voted to appoint Dr. Craig Cuellar as interim superintendent effective June 2, 2025.

The actions were taken during the regular board meeting convened at Duquesne High School's Star Theater. Board President Justine Durant read the proposed vision for the district as follows: “The Spring ISD District will be a district of choice, recognized for high quality instruction, strong community engagement, and a culture that celebrates growth and achievement, empowering every student, every teacher, every day.” The motion to adopt the revised vision was moved by Trustee Natasha McDaniel and seconded by Trustee Rhonda Newhouse; the motion carried unanimously.

Why it matters: the board's changes set public-facing priorities for the district and tighten controls around some administrative authority at a moment of leadership transition. Trustees also moved to constrain the superintendent's hiring authority for assistant principal-level positions and above, and they named an interim superintendent and approved an agreement defining his duties.

Votes at a glance

- Revise district vision statement: Moved by Trustee Natasha McDaniel; seconded by Trustee Rhonda Newhouse; outcome: approved unanimously (Yes: Justine Durant, Natasha McDaniel, Kelly P. Hodges, Rhonda Newhouse, Dr. Deborah Jensen).

- Adopt board \"guardrails\" grounded in community values (including a requirement that at least 50% of board meeting time be invested in improving student outcomes): Moved and seconded from the floor; outcome: approved unanimously.

- Adopt resolution requiring board approval for hiring personnel at assistant-principal level and higher until the interim superintendent begins duties or the board terminates the resolution: Mover Trustee Natasha McDaniel; seconded Trustee Kelly P. Hodges; outcome: approved unanimously.

- Appoint Dr. Craig Cuellar as interim superintendent of schools effective 12:00 a.m. June 2, 2025: Moved by Trustee Kelly P. Hodges; seconded by Trustee Natasha McDaniel; outcome: approved unanimously.

- Approve supplemental duties agreement for interim superintendent (effective 05/13/2025): Moved by Trustee Kelly P. Hodges; seconded by Trustee Natasha McDaniel; outcome: approved unanimously.

- Approve the consent agenda (items discussed at prior work session): Moved by Trustee Kelly P. Hodges; seconded by Trustee Rhonda Newhouse; outcome: approved unanimously.

- Ratify retention of outside legal counsel firms and authorize superintendent or designee to negotiate engagement agreements (Thompson Horton LLP; Spalding Nichols; Lansburgh? [as listed]; Monty & Ramirez LLP; Bracewell LLP; Purdue, Brandon, Fielder, Collins & Mott LLP): Moved by Trustee Natasha McDaniel; seconded by Trustee Rhonda Newhouse; outcome: approved unanimously.

- Accept superintendent's recommendation to terminate two probationary employment contracts (Josephine Tugenera and Janiyah Morgan), effective at the end of their contract terms, and authorize superintendent/designee to notify employees: Moved by Trustee Rhonda Newhouse; seconded by Trustee Natasha McDaniel; outcome: approved unanimously.

Discussion and public comment

During public participation, Melissa Hernandez, a junior at DeCane y High School, told trustees she has struggled for three years to have credits restored after absences and credited work she completed through Apex Learning and by exam. She said she had not received consistent follow-up from counselors and requested administrative assistance; district staff indicated someone from administration would follow up with her. Later, staff member Paul Trubinski addressed appraisal and records concerns at his campus and described pursuing open-records review; the board moved into closed session following public comment.

Process notes

Trustees recessed to a closed session under the Texas Open Meetings Act sections cited in the meeting; actions taken after closed session were announced in open session. All motions recorded in open session passed by unanimous voice/hand vote as stated on the record. The board scheduled discussion of normalized growth methodology for the June meeting and tabled that agenda item at this session.

Ending

After approving the consent agenda and several personnel and governance actions, the board adjourned at 10:17 p.m.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Meeting May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Spring Independent School District trustees on May 13 unanimously adopted a shorter, revised district vision, approved new board \"guardrails,\" adopted a resolution requiring board approval for some hires, and voted to appoint Dr. Craig Cuellar as interim superintendent effective June 2, 2025.","taxTitle","SPRING ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",14159,"location","Texas","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6556995,"Spring ISD reports safety upgrades completed or underway under recent bond; district passes surprise audits with two findings",69,4404000,4473000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3337880-ac5b926d1825fb47f367697154fb7bba&start=4404&end=4473","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3337880-ac5b926d1825fb47f367697154fb7bba/thumbnail_4404000.jpg","/articles/6556995/Texas/Spring-ISD-reports-safety-upgrades-completed-or-underway-under-recent-bond-district-passes-surprise-audits-with-two-findings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6556995-c11b54537db24583bd6090583fd8c03f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770548590&Signature=dyklqfJc2tyIZtFQ-Ez52sW5Y05NVfgDJX~s2XkwY8u6YpVgqC10dAvfvRv5OxTBnphGm4Ak~OJxJ6nbDpa~nfpANFoDVKTgEXyIxcjHj28ak7mQe5BxkA9GUbH79ODdJzdiCDI6Aw4iZeJpawn1qW3x0wAj6Q1WkNzfotPNHZieuUN~lkPI7ZSef0mKYq~-y5VtQZ4zBnKcSdD2TWxMOOCkObw3xDk0T4IMiYnoc~PiMjd5MqvVhb2jgFooYZXSg7VJ-jS73GiuabBDSLVHeJEQKH5u3LGs5wnsYpEfL29ll3Mkm0Kv-Z8V5p7JaLnDSNhLOg3yUPaMIhMzlXj7Yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff and trustees reported May 13 that several security upgrades funded by the district bond are complete or in progress, and that state surprise audits of campuses produced two findings this past year.

Mark Rorell (district facilities/safety staff) told the safety committee update that the district has installed video phones at the front doors of every campus and is in the process of installing impact-resistant glass in vestibules. He said phased fencing work is underway at several campuses and that the district demonstrated an open-gate weapons-detection system for the committee.

Board members and administrators noted the district also completed installation of bullet-resistant film at some locations tied to earlier bond work. Trustee and board leaders said they are pleased with the results and that the district has passed surprise audits at most campuses; at least two findings were recorded across the district in the audit cycle described on the record.

Ending

Trustees expressed satisfaction with the safety work and asked staff to continue reporting progress; implementation remains phased and ongoing.","At the May 13 meeting trustees received an update that video phones at every campus front door are complete, impact-resistant glass and fencing work is underway, and an open-gate weapons-detection demonstration was shown to the safety committee; trustees said surprise audits produced only two findings this year.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6556999,"Spring ISD student advisory council recounts Austin advocacy, urges more funding for pre-K, special education and teacher pay",774,3267000,4041000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3337880-ac5b926d1825fb47f367697154fb7bba&start=3267&end=4041","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3337880-ac5b926d1825fb47f367697154fb7bba/thumbnail_3267000.jpg","/articles/6556999/Texas/Spring-ISD-student-advisory-council-recounts-Austin-advocacy-urges-more-funding-for-pre-K-special-education-and-teacher-pay","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6556999-8f6203640a16024626221a364baeb116/orig.mp4?Expires=1770548590&Signature=m1lWFZYVtCmNlYi9v-nqvyqR4xqQDkdClS7HZxqjSjM-u-FeuDY0-tg12AzX27IV4uGOfEbyLQnKegirtkU8A10Ir9Uf1NOr0N4tPSJ6FCZKdxDKKVxJ5mwDsehsDD~55owifxDVIRMIlA3Xh4zhABNpOpopuNWVDtln6uXjDD3fd3J9bav4TF1-7sK91wPTWABV4R1u3zaSIR47026dCf2V~hF8mrU13UUIJ4Jxbvfml5O13Fv4-g0m58Suazj7csxDBxxwzr9g7h1OxzuTXaktFfc3lJ-~w0CwMfh6hyx2Ik7fi~36tidCqyMJRV6q57UQ2VFplikmQQ-d7021WQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Students from Spring Independent School District told the board on May 13 about a legislative advocacy trip to Austin in which they urged state lawmakers to increase school funding and protect programs that students said support academic and extracurricular opportunities.

Connor Briscoe, president of the Superintendent Student Advisory Council and a senior at Spring High School, said the student delegation met with state representatives to present legislative priorities developed by the students. “It hasn't been increased since 2019. It's just kinda stayed at $6,160,” Briscoe said about Texas' basic allotment per student, and he said the students asked legislators to consider an increase to approximately $7,600 per student to reflect current inflation.

Briscoe also told trustees that Spring ISD has cut over $20,000,000 from its budget in recent years, which students said led to reductions in some career and technical education and extracurricular programs. Other student speakers described priorities they advocated in Austin:

- Pre-K and special education funding: Student speaker Amari Robinson said Spring ISD is underfunded by about $3,000,000 for full-day pre-K (the district funds full-day pre-K but said it receives funding only for a half day). Students said research and their own experience show pre-K attendance correlates with higher EOC scores.

- Teacher pay and counselor resources: Speakers said the delegation pushed for better teacher compensation and more counseling resources to support classroom stability and student well-being.

- Fine arts funding and program benefits: Students representing fine-arts programs argued that arts programming improves student confidence, well-being and broader community engagement.

Students credited Raise Your Hand Texas and district staff for support arranging meetings and said several representatives were receptive and indicated they would look into the funding concerns the students raised. Trustee Natasha McDaniel and others praised the students’ preparation and said district leaders had reported positive feedback from the legislators they had met.

Ending

Trustees thanked the students for their advocacy and encouraged continued engagement; staff said they would support follow-up on the funding issues students raised.","Members of Spring ISD's Superintendent Student Advisory Council described a legislative advocacy trip to Austin, where they pressed state representatives on school funding, teacher pay, pre-K and special education resources and fine-arts support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Spring ISD board adopts new vision, limits superintendent hiring power and names interim superintendent

Spring ISD reports safety upgrades completed or underway under recent bond; district passes surprise audits with two findings

Spring ISD student advisory council recounts Austin advocacy, urges more funding for pre-K, special education and teacher pay