Spring ISD board green-lights partner-managed turnaround negotiations and adopts new campus performance framework
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Summary
The Spring ISD Board unanimously authorized negotiations with a partner-managed turnaround operator and adopted a new campus performance framework intended to speed supports on underperforming campuses; trustees also approved an ACE compensation model and several grants.
The Spring Independent School District Board of Trustees on March 10 unanimously authorized the administration to begin contract negotiations with a partner-management organization and adopted a new campus performance framework to accelerate turnaround work at struggling campuses.
Board members voted to enter contract negotiations after Chief of Innovation Dr. Michael Love described a Call for Quality process (an 1882-style partner-management approach) to recruit a nationally experienced turnaround operator, identified in the presentation as Future Schools. Trustee Newhouse moved the motion and Trustee Correa seconded; no members of the public registered for the required public hearing and the motion carried unanimously.
The board also adopted a campus performance framework that ties levels of district oversight and support to campus accountability levels (UA 0–4), Superintendent Dr. Craig Cuellar said. "This campus performance framework is bold," Cuellar said, describing steps the district will take as campuses move between performance bands and identifying more intensive interventions — including partner-managed agreements — for the lowest-rated campuses. Trustee Jensen moved adoption; the resolution passed unanimously.
In related action the board approved an ACE (Accelerating Campus Excellence) compensation model intended to staff two ACE campuses in 2027–28. Chief of Human Resources Dr. Terrell King summarized the model’s key provisions: tiered teacher stipends ranging from $2,500 to $10,000, leadership stipends for assistant and associate principals and targeted signing bonuses. King said roughly $700,000 of the initial funding is expected from the School Action Fund, with additional support from teacher incentive allotment administrative funds and grant partners. Trustee Hodges moved approval; the board voted in favor unanimously.
Votes at a glance - Motion to authorize negotiation of a partner-management agreement with the recommended organization (Future Schools): mover Trustee Newhouse; second Trustee Correa; outcome: approved unanimously (board voice vote). - Resolution adopting the campus performance framework: mover Trustee Jensen; second Trustee Newhouse; outcome: adopted unanimously. - Approval of the 2026–27 ACE compensation model: mover Trustee Hodges; second Trustee Adams; outcome: approved unanimously. - Grants and consent agenda (including a $20,000 STEM grant and a $128,100 after-school program grant): approved unanimously.
Why it matters: The actions give the district a structured pathway to partner with an external manager for rapid academic turnaround at specified campuses and a new, board-approved rubric that defines district responses at multiple performance levels. Trustees stressed that contract terms, performance metrics and off-ramps will be negotiated and brought back to the board for final approval before any operational handover takes place.
What's next: Administration said it expects to use the coming months for contract negotiation and planning, with implementation discussions and final contracts returned to the board for approval before the 2027–28 academic year.
