New Caney ISD presents turnaround plan for Kiefer Crossing Middle School; board hears implementation steps

New Caney Independent School District leaders presented a turnaround plan for Kiefer Crossing Middle School, explaining leadership changes, new curricula and short-term interventions aimed at reversing two consecutive years of unacceptable accountability ratings.

District staff and administrators described immediate steps taken at the campus since the TAP designation, including leadership reassignments, new instructional coaching, a dedicated dean position focused on instruction, and adoption of district-selected high-quality instructional materials. “When those were released, Kiefer Crossing had 2 years of unacceptable,” said Dr. Gundarko, summarizing the accountability history that triggered state intervention and the resulting TAP designation.

The plan, the presenters said, was developed with assistance from district departments including student services, human resources and curriculum specialists. District staff moved personnel from other campuses to Kiefer Crossing: Mr. Ceballos was moved to serve as principal at Kiefer Crossing, Britney Horton added as assistant principal, Destiny Cook as instructional coach, and a newly created dean position was filled to concentrate on instruction. Administrators described facility and operational changes and increased parent communication since the personnel shifts.

On curriculum, district staff said they selected materials recognized by the Texas Education Agency as high-quality instructional materials for middle school courses, listing "STEMscopes" for math and "Amplify" for other subjects and noting a science/social studies package identified in the presentation. Staff described data protocols that compare Kiefer Crossing assessments with other district middle schools and said teachers are collaborating to share effective practices. “We have really implemented those on our middle school campuses, and those are non negotiables from the district,” the presenter said.

District staff reported that they presented the TAP plan to about 70–80 parents at a campus meeting and that they will submit the plan to the state for approval; they expect a state response in February or March and plan implementation the following school year. The presenters said the district’s short-term goal is a minimum rating of C this school year, with hopes to reach a B or A and exit the TAP designation.

Board members asked about historical accountability ratings; staff clarified that Kiefer Crossing’s rating before the two unacceptable years was a D for 2022–23 and that the two subsequent years triggered the TAP designation. Staff also said similar practices are being extended to the district’s other middle schools (Woodridge Forest, Pine Valley and White Oak) to prevent further declines.

No formal board action on the TAP plan was taken at the meeting; staff said the next step is district approval followed by submission to the state for formal review and approval.