A push for more student involvement in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program is leading Hays CISD officials to brainstorm how to maximize attendance at future agricultural events.
On Nov. 12, several parents addressed the HCISD Board of Trustees, asking the district to allow students the ability to travel for major FFA competitions.
Hays High and Lehman High each have five agriculture teachers on staff, limiting how much classroom time an instructor can afford to miss for a competition.
At Hays, the program has more than 100 students who compete.
Debbie Moore, a Hays CISD parent, addressed the board at the meeting, asking for additional support for students to travel to bigger competitions. She said students are forced to join a local 4-H chapter outside of school if they want to compete at a higher level.
“I don’t see a livestock show any different than a UIL band competition, track meet or a debate meet,” Moore said. “All I’m asking is for FFA to be given the same opportunity. With all five ag teachers now, and rotating, it shouldn’t take a teacher out of the classroom too often.”
The issue presented by parents was a “catch-22” for the district. Additional time outside of the classroom equates to less interaction in the classroom.
According to a statement by the district, teachers can choose how to divide up travel time with students who can select which livestock shows to attend. All travel for the agriculture program is limited to within Texas unless a student advances to a national competition, for which the superintendent's approval would be required for travel.
Tim Savoy, HCISD chief communications officer, said the district has a resolution that allows extracurricular status to the Hays County 4-H Texas organization.
“The resolution lists the names of the agriculture extension agents that have been approved by the school board as adjunct faculty members to travel with students, which in turn, allows the high school agriculture teachers to spend more time in the classroom educating students who are not traveling to a show,” Savoy said.
Brad Alexander, a 1996 Hays High School graduate and a product of the FFA program, said he strongly supports giving students the opportunity to travel and compete, which is something he said was limited during his time in school.
School district officials said they will work to continuously improve a program that has a long history of rich tradition.
According to the district, Hays CISD agriculture students attended 28 livestock shows in Hays County, the Austin area, San Antonio, College Station, Stephenville, Ingram, Clifton and other locations.
The district has approved students to attend shows in Austin, Houston and San Antonio this school year.
Superintendent Eric Wright, upon return from the Thanksgiving break, will meet with staff to review the district’s current practices and schedules regarding teacher/student travel to livestock shows.
“The goal will be to maximize the number of shows students can attend with their school district agriculture teachers, while balancing the needs of students in the classroom who are not traveling,” Savoy said.
