The end of NISD’s school year is here, and on Wednesday Rotary Club of Nacogdoches received a wrap up of all the high points leading up to graduation ceremonies on Friday.
Superintendent Dr. Gabriel Trujillo’s slideshow covered all of the bases, starting with images from convocation way back in August and ending with this week’s final events, including senior “clap outs” at NISD elementary campuses.
Trujillo spent a lot of his time highlighting student and staff accomplishments. He emphasized student ambassador groups around the district, including those in the Career and Technical Education Department.
“It’s kids telling you about the high school,” Trujillo said. “Out in the workforce, our students need to know how to communicate and this is one way we do that.”
He put the spotlight on extracurricular activities, including fine arts programs in the district, ranging from Pre-K up through high school, along with athletic teams at McMichael Middle School and Nacogdoches High School. Trujillo also underlined the accomplishments of academic UIL squads, making note of the district championship brought home by Nacogdoches High School.
Initiatives undertaken by NISD during the year included Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA), and creation of an innovation zone, and expanding the district’s relationship with Deep East Texas Workforce Solutions, among others. NISD had 10 teachers qualify for TIA in the first year the district implemented the program.
During the 2023-24 academic year, NISD sponsored audits and studies of departments ranging from financial, technology, curriculum, safety and security, staffing and compensation, and energy usage.
“That’s our way of showing you that we want to ensure we’re maximizing the money we’ve been entrusted with,” Trujillo said. “We want to make sure we’re taking full advantage of what we have.”