GISD to reconfigure schools for 2021-2022 school year

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The Gonzales Independent School District Board of Trustees voted Monday to approve a proposed reconfiguration plan which would change the structure of grade levels kindergarten through eight, as well as repurpose the East Avenue Primary campus.

Following the board meeting held Monday, Dec. 7, the district shared a statement elaborating on the decision to its Facebook page.

Here is that statement:

Realignment of GISD Campuses

Gonzales ISD is excited to announce the Board of Trustees approved a reconfiguration alignment plan for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year.

The decision came as a result of research on grade configuration that best supports student learning and development. The plan will allow for fewer transitions for students and parents from campus to campus allowing for more time to build stronger relationships between campus staff and students and their parents/guardians. Students will learn and implement campus expectations and build relationships with staff for three consecutive years instead of transitioning every two years.

This realignment supports the vertical alignment of the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) and ensures students have the instructional strategies and knowledge to be successful as they transition from grade level to grade level. Teachers will have the opportunity to meet across grade levels in Professional Learning Communities to better target strategies, practices, and programs to improve student achievement.

The reconfiguration will consist of Kindergarten joining the 1st and 2nd grade levels designing a Kindergarten-2nd grade campus. The 6th graders will join the junior high for a 6th-8th grade junior high school campus.

New campus configurations are as follows:

- Gonzales Primary Academy: Early Childhood Special Education & Pre-Kindergarten

- Gonzales Elementary Campus: Kindergarten – 2nd Grade

- North Avenue Intermediate Campus: 3rd – 5th Grade

- Gonzales Junior High School: 6th – 8th Grade

- Gonzales High School: 9th-12 Grade

- East Avenue Primary School: District Offices of: Technology Department, Curriculum & Instruction, Special Services and in the future Administration Office

Gonzales Administration and Board of Trustees are excited about the reconfiguration process. The process of moving is scheduled to begin during the summer of 2021.”

In other business:

  • The board voted to approve the Elementary Targeted Improvement Plan, which is intended to direct campus strategies to improve STAAR scores.
  • The board approved the annual financial and compliance report for the fiscal year which ended in August 2020, as well as the audit engagement letter from Singleton, Clark & Company, PC. Approving this letter allows the district to renew its contract with the firm for one additional year.
  • A contract for the replacement of wireless access points, which provides internet access for students who do not already have it, was awarded to James Teleco out of Cuero.
  • The board voted to approve the SHARE program to be implemented on campuses.

• The board received financial reports, an update from ACE program directors, and a report from Superintendent John Schumach

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