The Windham School District Board of Trustees on Oct. 17 heard a report from Superintendent Christina Hartman about Texas’s engagement with national and international correctional-education organizations and the potential impact of recent federal Pell policy changes on short-term workforce training for people in custody.

Hartman told the board that Texas staff and Windham representatives presented at the American Correctional Association conference and that the state’s work on occupational licensing and stakeholder engagement has influenced legislative outcomes. “Receiving feedback from external partners makes us better,” Hartman said, describing how other states have used Texas examples in testimony and planning.

Why it matters: Hartman framed the participation as part of a broader effort to expand educational and workforce pathways for people in incarceration, including work tied to the U.S. Department of Education’s rulemaking for a workforce Pell initiative that would allow shorter-term training programs to be Pell-eligible. “That will make these programs accessible” to people with shorter lengths of stay, Hartman said.

Board members also heard a separate, detailed presentation on Windham’s peer tutor training program, led by Louann Pickett, department director of instruction. Pickett said the pilot operates on a 12-week cycle and covers eight modules including confidentiality, communication, cognitive strategies, career-technical education (CTE) safety, instructional foundations, workplace readiness and instructional technology. “The tutor training program supports tutors in gaining leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills while strengthening their own academic foundation,” Pickett said.

Program details and status: Pickett told trustees that Windham’s pilot cohort graduated 27 tutors on Aug. 14 and that a second cohort began Sept. 22 with about 23 tutors enrolled. The training is currently based at the Bartlett campus and requires applicants to hold a high school diploma or equivalency, meet qualifying assessment scores and sign an agreement covering expectations and confidentiality. Pickett said tutors earn certifications and return to their assigned campuses to provide ongoing support.

Student perspectives shown in a brief video emphasized confidence and practical skills gained through the program. One participant in the video said, “The peer tutor program has helped me feel more equipped to better return to the classroom because they give you the tools you need.”

Expansion plans and next steps: Pickett said Windham plans to expand the model into library clerk roles so clerks can help students who are struggling or are on wait lists for classes. Board members asked about selection and deployment; Pickett said candidates are a mix of existing on-campus tutors and people who volunteer after seeing posted notices. Superintendent Hartman added that “we have peer tutors that are uncertified and then we have peer tutors that become certified” through the new program, which she said improves the quality of support on site.

Actions taken at the Windham meeting: The board approved consent items and then approved two policy items during the same session: the annual review of Wyndham Board Policy WBP‑11.12 (Investment Policy) and a revision to Board Policy 3.0 (revision 4) concerning Windham’s administration of postsecondary programs. General Bill Welch moved approval of the investment policy and Robert O'Banion presented the document for the board; the motion passed. A separate motion from Tom Fordyce to approve the revision to policy 3.0 passed as well.

What to watch: Windham is pursuing a grant to support cross‑agency data analysis that would compare wage outcomes for people who participated in Windham programs to similar community counterparts. Hartman said the grant application is supported by letters from legislative offices and multiple agencies and that potential research partnerships with Sam Houston State University are under discussion to study staff and student perceptions of technology in classrooms.

Ending: Trustees commended the programs, and board members encouraged the district to continue expanding professional partnerships that advance correctional education and workforce training.