Corpus Christi ISD annual address focuses on success amidst "troubling" political waters

Corpus Christi ISD Superintendent Roland Hernandez touted district successes and described recent state advocacy efforts during the annual state of the district event Tuesday.

Hernandez told the audience about "challenges to public education," including a lack of legislative support from the state and changes to the state's school accountability system. Hernandez said that public schools have become "political targets."

CCISD Board of Trustees President Don Clark spoke similarly, describing "troubling waters" coming from Austin.

"As a united front, our legislative committee, the full (school) board and the administration are actively engaged in measures we trust to ensure that public education students remain primed for success," Clark said.

The state of the district lunch is an annual fundraiser for the Corpus Christi Education Foundation, which awards teacher grants and student scholarships, and a chance for the community to hear an update on happenings in CCISD over the past year.

The event raised more than $165,000 for the education foundation.

Update given on TEA lawsuit

In September, CCISD joined a lawsuit against the Texas Education Agency and Education Commissioner Mike Morath. The lawsuit was initiating by Kingsville ISD, where former Ray High School principal Cissy Reynolds-Perez is superintendent, and has since been taken up by more than 100 Texas school districts.

The schools oppose a planned update to the TEA's A-F school accountability system which the state was expected to roll out this fall. Schools say that even if they showed student progress and growth between 2021-22 and 2022-23, their accountability grade might drop based on updated metrics that were not fully explained when the school year began.

"The TEA's last-minute changes seem to seek to punish schools around the entire state, to issue letter grades that imply public schools are failing," Hernandez said.

The districts celebrated a success last week when a judge granted a temporary injunction order halting the TEA from releasing the grades. Travis County district Judge Catherine Mauzy's order cited potential harm to school districts if the grades were released.

The case will go to trial in February.

Districts work to increase school funding

As the state debates private school vouchers, lawmakers have neglected to increase public school funding. CCISD has also been working with other area districts to advocate for public schools at the state level.

"Those challenges are alarming and I'm here to remind us that, like our district theme for this school year says, our community is stronger together," Hernandez said. "Together we can demonstrate the unwavering support for public education in our community and throughout our entire state."

Last year, about 2,500 students graduated from Corpus Christi ISD high schools, earning a total of $19 million in scholarship funds. The district was also named H-E-B 2023 Excellence in Education large school district of the year.

Hernandez touted the district's efforts to build new schools, replacing old and outdated facilities across Corpus Christi, as well as its expansion of early childhood education programs, improved graduation rates and gains in college, career and military readiness.

The district offers pre-K for 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds at each district elementary school.

"We serve almost 2,000 pre-K students, our highest number ever," Hernandez said.

Hernandez said these are points of pride.

"We have been clear to our educators," Hernandez said. "Do no be discouraged. Do not be distracted by politically-driven conversations or changes to our system. We take pride in being a large, urban school district that welcomes every student that walks through our doors."

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpus Christi ISD touts wins, addresses political challenges