District opens sixth middle school
With a ceremonial cut of the ribbon by area dignitaries, Hays CISD in August celebrated the opening of the district’s sixth middle school. McCormick Middle School, named after Dr. T.C. McCormick Jr., a social and medical pioneer from Buda, officially opened with much fanfare in 2016. The ceremony included speeches from his wife, Jerry, and his family along with school board president Holly Raymond and Buda Mayor Todd Ruge.
A breadstick gone wrong
In January, Lehman High student Ambrocio Turrbiartes used a memory about how to perform the heimlich maneuver from his eight grade health class to save the life of a man who was choking on a breadstick.
Lehman High hires new principal
A Texas State graduate and Kyle resident was selected earlier this year as the fourth principal to guide Lehman High. Denisha Presley was named as Lehman principal in August after the departure of Michelle Chae, who accepted a position within the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD. Presley, who had served as principal at Lockhart High Freshman M.L. Cisneros campus, spent eight years teaching high school students in the classroom and an additional eight years as a high school campus administrator.
Beloved Hays CISD nurse dies
In July, Hays CISD staff and students mourned the loss of Susie Kana, longtime Barton Middle School nurse, who passed away at age 60. Kana worked within Hays CISD for more than 20 years before her retirement in 2015. She continued to work despite being diagnosed with skin cancer. Kana made history by being named the inaugural Hays CISD Ambassador of the Year in 2013.
Literary focus of Hemphilll help plan
Hays CISD board trustees this October approved an improvement plan meant to help failing state standardized test scores at Hemphill Elementary. The plan was crafted by a ten person School Improvement Team that included Hemphill principal Tracie Robinson, along with Tim Persall, Hays CISD assistant superintendent of elementary schools, and Joy Philpott, Hays CISD director of assessment and accountablitly. They created the plan after Hemphill was rated as an “Improvement Required” campus in the 2016 TEA state accountability results.
Hays CISD selects site for third high school
Debate ensued earlier this year as Hays CISD sought to find a location for a proposed third high school for a possible May 2017 bond. After whittling down a list of locations to two possible sites, district officials, guided by a large push from members of the community, chose a location along FM 967 next to Carpenter Hill Elementary. That location beat out a site located along Turnersville Road in the eastern reaches of the district.
Committee recommends $265M bond for Hays CISD growth
A single proposition totaling $265 million is what Hays CISD’s Growth Impact Committee recommended to the board of trustees for a possible May 2017 bond initiative. Within the GIC’s recommendation are a new $122 million high school, two $33 million elementary campuses and various other items. The board will now work with citizens on finalizing a possible list of projects to go within the bond. Hays CISD’s board will decide in February whether the district should call a bond election.
Incumbent wins reelection bid, newcomer claims seat
Hays CISD board trustee Merideth Keller won her reelection bid this May by defeating Jonanna Mikulenka in the race for the District 4 seat. Keller claimed the seat with 81 percent of the vote. Meanwhile, Esperanza Orosco won her bid for the District 5 seat by defeating Priscilla Harrell with 63 percent of the vote.
Hays High selects new fight song
Whistling “Dixie” is now a thing of the past at Hays High after students voted in a new fight song this April. The song was composed by Dr. Timothy Rhea, Director of Bands at Texas A&M University. The song, which beat out three other tunes, was voted on by the Hays High student body.
Lehman High gets new wing for welding
A 3,000 square foot facility meant to house a new welding and construction technology facility at Lehman High was completed in 2016. The building, which cost $1 million to construct, houses 14 welding stations and multiple construction stations.
