In this letter from the WISD Board President, Dr. Rob Campbell announces two task forces as a result of a 2022 community-based Strategic Planning process to identify priorities for the district.
As school begins each year, I am impressed by how quickly our students, staff, and families settle into their school-year routines. This year has been no different. It’s gratifying as a Wimberley ISD Board member to witness these routines already producing excellence from our students of all ages. While the consistency of routine is essential for effective school operations, each new year also brings opportunities for continued growth and improvement.
Two years ago, WISD convened a Strategic Planning Committee of over 60 community members to chart our course for the next several years. Four major priorities emerged from this process, including a focus on “Strengthening Community Excellence.” One of the ways the Board of Trustees and district leadership team are working to support this priority is by creating opportunities to hear the voice of our community more broadly. With this in mind, WISD is creating two groups to address critical issues impacting our students, teachers, and community. Starting in September, WISD will convene both the Ambassador and Facility Needs Task Forces.
The Ambassador Task Force will have the opportunity to learn in great detail about the tremendous successes and challenges of WISD. Each Trustee will be appointing two community members to serve, but any community member who wishes to serve as a WISD Ambassador is welcome. Our goal is to offer an opportunity for community members to become deeply informed advocates for the needs of our students and staff at the local and state levels.
One of the prominent issues this group will grapple with is the funding challenge the state of Texas has thrust upon all public school districts. At this time, the legislature continues to hold hostage $4 billion in funding that is designated in the state’s current budget to support public school students. That is $4 billion not making its way to the students and teachers that need it.
This inaction by our state leaders has created a serious challenge for WISD, and it is exacerbated by the state’s education funding redistribution program, commonly referred to as Chapter 49, or Robinhood. The budget our Board just approved for the 2024-25 school year includes nearly $3.5 million that we are required to send back to the state. It does not take a thorough knowledge of WISD’s budget to know that $3.5 million would make a massive difference for the students we serve. At our Board’s September 16th meeting, we will conduct a workshop where the Board will learn from legal and school finance experts while discussing possible options for navigating the state’s insufficient school funding system.
The second group WISD is launching in September is a Facility Needs Task Force. Each Trustee is appointing a community member to serve on this task force, who will be joined by members of our WISD staff. This group will analyze results from a facility needs assessment that began this summer and will work to prioritize potential facility improvements that can best support our students. The task force will create a facility priorities list and provide the Board with recommendations to help the Trustees make informed decisions regarding facility needs.
The WISD vision is focused on excellence, innovation, and service. I want to express gratitude to all of our community members who serve in various capacities to support our district. On behalf of my fellow Trustees, I want to share special thanks to the community members who will generously give of their time throughout this year to serve as a WISD Ambassador or Facility Needs Task Force member.
If you would like to serve on our Ambassador team, I encourage you to contact WISD’s Communications Director, Allen Bruggman (allen.bruggman@wimberleyisd. net), to express your interest.
I’m excited to begin these community conversations about these important district matters and have faith that together, we will enhance the experience for all our students.
Sincerely, and Go Texans! Dr. Rob Campbell WISD Board President
