09.29.2018 — Today TASA named the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Board of Trustees the 2018 Outstanding School Board at the TASA/TASB Convention in Austin. Since 1971, the TASA School Board Awards program has honored outstanding Texas school boards that have demonstrated commitment to their students and to their communities.
The Grapevine-Colleyville ISD school board was chosen from among five finalists that were interviewed by a committee of Texas school superintendents. The committee’s decision was based on several criteria, including the board’s support for educational performance, educational improvement projects and school transformation initiatives, commitment to a code of ethics, and placement of the welfare of children served by the school system above other motives.
In particular, the committee was impressed by how the board views themselves as “visionary volunteers” – servant leaders giving the district direction for the future by ensuring all decisions align with the district’s LEAD 2021 strategic plan. The committee also commended the board for being willing to take risks by promoting advocacy and a culture of voting that amplifies student voice, and also for transforming the district’s culture to ensure a learner-centered focus in the classroom.
“The Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Board of Trustees is a rock solid ‘Team of Eight,’” said Amy Jacobs, superintendent of Coahoma ISD and chair of the TASA School Board Awards Committee. “The passion they have for serving the students in their district is evident in every single board member, the superintendent, and the ‘Team of Eight’ collectively.”
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Superintendent Robin Ryan nominated the board for the award. “The leadership our board provides makes a positive difference in GCISD,” he said. “They have a shared vision and encourage us all to step out of our comfort zones to personalize education for every student. They take roadblocks out of the paths of our excellent staff so beneficial changes can be made.”
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, located in the center of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in Education Service Center Region 11, serves nearly 14,000 students.
In addition to the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD board, the other four finalists, or “Honor Boards,” were recognized at the TASA/TASB Convention: Brenham ISD, Region 6; Community ISD, Region 10; Lamar Consolidated ISD, Region 4; and Medina Valley ISD, Region 20.
The Regional Honor Boards, also honored at the convention, were: Banquete ISD, Region 2; Brownwood ISD, Region 15; Burkburnett ISD, Region 9; Burkeville ISD, Region 5; Corpus Christi ISD, Region 2; Dimmitt ISD, Region 16; Dripping Springs, Region 13; Kermit ISD, Region 18; Lindale ISD, Region 7; Mount Pleasant ISD, Region 8; Olfen ISD, Region 15; Port Arthur ISD, Region 5; Rice Consolidated ISD, Region 3; Valley View ISD, Region 1; West ISD, Region 12; and Ysleta ISD, Region 19.
