HEB ISD: Ninth-grade athletics, VPA moved to high schools after first-year review
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Summary
The Hurst‑Euless‑Bedford ISD board heard an update on the first year of moving remaining ninth‑grade visual and performing arts (VPA) and athletics from junior highs to high schools, including participation counts, survey results and planned refinements to logistics and communication.
The Hurst‑Euless‑Bedford ISD board on Monday received a report on the district’s first year of moving remaining ninth‑grade athletics and select visual and performing arts programs from junior highs to Bell and Trinity high schools.
Administrators said the change, implemented to improve efficiency and reallocate staff and funding, moved 418 freshmen into high‑school athletics programs and selected 49 freshmen from junior highs for marching band and drill team auditions.
The presentation, led by Miss Rhodes (freshman VPA and athletics presenter), summarized the district’s Plan‑Do‑Study‑Act review of the transition and relayed survey results from parents and students. “The majority of the students feel well supported as they transition into the program,” Rhodes said during the presentation.
Why it matters: District leaders said the move was intended to optimize personnel and facilities as part of the district strategic plan’s effectiveness and efficiency goals. Board members pressed staff about logistics, transportation and whether the change affected students’ ability to participate in both extracurriculars and academics.
Details of the first year Administrators credited coordination among coaches, directors, counselors and transportation for addressing unanticipated logistical issues. Rhodes said athletics moved 418 freshmen into the high schools across football, volleyball, basketball, girls soccer and cheer; marching band and drill team auditions resulted in 49 freshmen selected to participate at the high‑school level.
Survey results and follow up Rhodes said the VPA and athletic surveys showed mostly satisfied or neutral responses, with common areas for improvement including communication and scheduling. Rhodes told the board the VPA survey went out in November and athletic surveys in December and that survey comments were compiled verbatim. She said staff plan to survey coaches and directors at the end of the school year to gather additional perspectives.
Board questions focused on participation and classroom impacts. One board member asked whether teachers (beyond coaches) had been surveyed to measure academic effects; Rhodes said principals and counselors had been consulted and that additional surveys of coaches and administrators will be conducted.
Next steps Rhodes said freshmen athletics and cheer will remain at the high schools for the 2025–26 school year. Drill team freshmen will continue to audition for varsity and the district will explore expansion of the ninth‑grade marching band program, with potential increases of up to 25 percent in marching band participation.
The board did not take action on the presentation; staff said they will return with continued updates and additional survey results next school year.
