Huntsville ISD approves Samuel Walker Houston Elementary turnaround plan with 2025-26 targets and monitoring timeline

HUNTSVILLE — Huntsville ISD trustees unanimously approved the 2025-26 Samuel Walker Houston Elementary turnaround plan after a public hearing and presentation by district staff.

Mister Campbell, district coordinator of school improvement, told the board the plan responds to state accountability requirements and was informed by a comprehensive needs assessment and stakeholder feedback. "Under Texas school accountability law, a campus must develop a campus...the statute requirements of a campus improvement plan as part of the state required turnaround plan," Campbell said.

The plan sets specific student-achievement targets for the 2026-27 school year, including a 40% goal for students performing at "meets and/or above" grade level in reading and a 35% goal in math. It also lists component-point targets for accountability domains and English-proficiency measures and calls for use of State Board of Education–approved high-quality instructional materials and intensive curriculum and instructional improvements.

Campbell described the implementation schedule as beginning with prework and orientation to the new materials in spring and rolling into job-embedded coaching and observation-feedback cycles that continue through May 2028. "Progress toward the campus improvement goals will be tracked through key milestones, including checkpoints for the research-based instructional strategies, observation feedback cycles, and high-quality instructional material use," he said.

Monitoring responsibilities are split between district- and campus-level staff. "The district coordinator of school improvement...and principal manager will monitor plan implementation through quarterly fidelity checks, monthly leadership reviews, and observation data and student performance, as well as weekly check-ins to address trends and immediate needs," Campbell said. At the campus level, principals and instructional coaches will conduct weekly walk-throughs and observe PLCs and professional learning teams.

Campbell told trustees the plan will be funded through IMTA funds, LASO 4 and Title I funds, and that the district would reallocate existing resources if grant funding is not received. He said stakeholder engagement included two public meetings (Sept. 29 and Oct. 27) and surveys; turnout was modest, with staff present and "3 parents" reported for the Sept. 29 meeting and "1" for the Oct. 27 meeting, plus additional survey responses.

Board members asked about the history of turnaround plans at Samuel Walker; Campbell said a prior TAP plan was in place for 2018-19 and that COVID affected normal cycles. Trustees moved and seconded the approval and voted unanimously to adopt the plan.

Trustees said they look forward to updates on implementation and student progress at future meetings.