KYLE — On Oct. 18, Hays CISD held its inaugural State of the District, hosted by the Hays CISD Education Foundation.
The event began with a showcase of student organizations throughout the new administration building, including culinary arts, cosmetology, mariachi and more.
Dr. Greg Smith, executive director of the Texas Fast Growth Schools Coalition, was a guest speaker, noting that Hays CISD is considered a destination district, which according to the coalition's website, are districts located in areas of the state with rapid economic growth, business expansion and significant increases in population.
Among these districts are models, which Smith stated Hays CISD is one of, due to possessing these qualities: an engaged community, with great communication; students feel as though it is an opportunity to attend school, rather than feel it is an obligation; teachers take pride in their work; and a committed and strong education foundation.
Following Smith was Hays CISD Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright, who said that, with the district's projected moderate growth, in the school year 2033-34, there will be 45,423 students in the district.
This number continues to rise because the district retains 86.3% of the children that live within the Hays CISD limits. In fact, he stated that this number is not as high as it used to be, due to some students moving to charter schools that have opened up in the area. Although many may see this as a good thing because it is less students to worry about, it actually makes the ability to hire teachers more difficult, since there is more competition.
To keep up with the rapid growth, the district is preparing for a bond in the May 2025 election, pending board of trustee approval. The superintendent explained that the bond is looking to be between $900-$950 million. Until its approval, the Bond Oversight Committee will continue to meet regularly to look at all the needs and requests made throughout the district, which is currently sitting at $1.2 billion, but will be narrowed down prior to the bond. As of now, these items are at the top of the district’s priority list:
• Building high school number 4, which is planned for Turnersville Road in the Sunfield neighborhood
• Increasing the capacity of students at Simon Middle School and Wallace Middle School, which will give the district more time in between construction of new schools
• Design and construction of elementary school #18 and #19
• Capacity increases for Kyle Elementary School, Tom Green Elementary School, Hemphill Elementary School and Fuentes Elementary School
• Starting the design for middle school number seven • Purchasing school buses and equipment for them “I know fine arts and athletics will chime in and they have several things that are needed, so hopefully, some of those things that they want will make the list, but that’s what we’re looking [at] for bond 2025,” said Wright.
Wright also discussed the 100% Hays CISD program. The goal of it is to include students in an activity that will give them both a peer group and an adult mentor.
When the program started, 70% of students were involved in an extracurricular activity and now, it is at 87%. To encourage the remaining 13%, counselors and advisors are talking to students with hopes of understanding why they are not participating, said Wright.
One of the aspects that the district has focused on is advanced academics. According to data shown, the number of students taking advanced placement courses has increased from its initial 858 in 2018 to 1,174 in 2024. The number of AP tests that are passed for college credit has also increased from 63% in 2018 to 67% in 2024.
Included in these academics are the Career & Technical Education programs. Wright discussed the Lehman High School stat pack, which works every LHS football game to give real-time statistics to the coaches on the field, so that they understand what works and does not work. Then, coaches can adjust the plays made.
Also highlighted was the Johnson High School Rocket Program, where students work with NASA and SpaceX, as well as launch missiles in their capstone year at White Sands Missile Range.
“We heard from Texas Workforce Commission that we don’t have enough pilots, so guess what? We started an aviation program and we’re working with San Marcos Regional Airport in order to make sure the kids have opportunities to become pilots,” the superintendent explained.
Wright has also been able to start water polo within the district, as well as orchestra, since stepping into the superintendent role.
With 1,760 students graduating in class of 2024, the new mission statement is truer than ever, stressed Wright: 100% Possible.
Knowledge. Inspiration. Dreams. Success.
“This is what it’s all about,” he said. “One of my passions is making sure that our kids and our teachers have selfconfidence
and that no
one tells them that they can’t do something. They might not can do it right now, but if you want to do something and you’re willing to work hard enough for it, you can figure out how to do it. I hope that this will be the backbone for that as we move forward.”
