FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Submitted by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Executive Director July 6, 2023
Region 5 Education Service Center
REGION 5 NAMES WEST ORANGE-COVE CISD SCHOOL BOARD AS
2023 SCHOOL BOARD OF THE YEAR
Region 5 Education Service Center is pleased to announce that West Orange-Cove CISD is the regional winner for TASA’s 2023 School Board of the Year. Board Members include Linda Platt-Bryant, President; Gina Yeaman, Vice President; Tricia Stroud, Secretary; Roderick Robertson, Ruth Hancock, Tommy Wilson, Sr., and Demetrius Hunter. Dr. Rickie Harris is Superintendent.
School Boards are awarded the honor based on support for educational improvement projects and school transformation initiatives, as well as for educational performance in accordance with state-established standards. Other criteria include adherence to adopted board policies, function as a policy-making body, and a number of additional standards.
Specifically, West Orange-Cove CISD School Board Members have displayed excellence in the following areas, to name a few:
Quoted directly from the application: “West Orange-Cove CISD is fully committed to many improvement initiatives across the district. Each initiative is focused on improving the lives of students. The West Orange-Cove CISD school board works closely with district leaders to ensure that all students have equitable access to educational programs and services to enhance the academic performance of all students. The first West Orange-Cove CISD educational performance initiative is the practice of individualized academic goals for each student, also known as ‘Plus 10 Goals’…which are individualized academic growth measures for each student.”
An additional initiative includes offering more than 40 college course offerings to high school students free of charge! Every student has the opportunity to take a minimum of 24 college hours, with books, tuition, and transportation included.
Substantial accountability improvements have resulted from these initiatives. Three campuses formerly designated as “Improvement Required” have improved to new levels of significant improvement. The district achieved a B status, and CCMR scores tied for second.
Please join us in congratulating the West Orange-Cove CISD School Board for a job well done!