June 16, 2008 - Austin School Trustees voted unanimously Monday evening to submit to Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott a resolution and plan to repurpose Johnston High School for the 2008-2009 school year, as allowed under the rules of the Texas Education Agency.

The resolution says, in part, “The Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees adopts the framework for repurposing…” (Read the whole resolution)  
 
Last week, Commissioner Scott ordered Johnston closed, after several years of being rated Academically Unacceptable under the state accountability system. The Commissioner’s decision, required by law, allows AISD the opportunity to move forward with a New Vision for Johnston, a plan for repurposing; and most importantly, the opportunity to keep a high school on Austin’s East side. The Commissioner stated that the District could apply to repurpose the school. However, there are certain state requirements, outlined in the Texas Administrative Code (19 TAC §§97.1051(2)(B)-(C)) that the District must meet, if the Commissioner is to allow the repurposed campus to open in August:  
 

• Establish a new school name.
• Obtain a new state identification (PEIMS) number for the campus.
• Reassign the campus administrator, who has already resigned, and at least 75 percent of the instructional staff.
• Implement a completely different instructional program; and,
• Actively recruit students who had not previously been enrolled at Johnston, to attend the new campus.

 
 
Superintendent Forgione told Trustees that the repurposing plan is consistent with AISD’s effort to engage parents and the community in the design of a new vision for the Johnston campus that will move beyond the limits of a traditional high school to better identify and meet the specific needs of students in East Austin.  
 
High school education in the Johnston attendance zone must change dramatically, Superintendent Forgione said.  
 
“AISD is proposing to accomplish this dramatic change in two phases. The first, to be implemented in school year 2008-2009, requires the reconstitution of the Johnston administration and faculty as well as the implementation of a completely overhauled instructional program, and the reorientation of the students to an educational culture focused on college and career. Our plan must address the institutional barriers to success that Johnston students face, such as high mobility, low attendance rates, and the need for an intense freshman year transition. In addition, the structure of academies will be strengthened to enhance personalization and student engagement along with the introduction of Personal Education Plans. Phase One is designed to lead to the second phase, in which two new independent high schools will be opened on that campus, joining the existing independent International High School, in the 2009-2010 school year,” Dr. Forgione said.  
(Read Dr. Forgione's statement to the board)  
 
AISD will next hold a community meeting to discuss the New Vision at Johnston on Thursday, June 12, at 6 p.m. Complete information about the plan can be found on the District’s website at http://www.boardbook.org/apps/bbv2/public/detail_wrapper.cfm?MeetingKey=MjAwMTY0MzU%3D  
 
Administrative Appointments  
 
Trustees approved the following administrative appointments:  
 

• Dr. Lucio Calzada as principal of Austin High School. He was principal of Fulmore Middle School from 2001-2007, and, most recently, interim principal at Garcia Middle School. He also held administrative and teaching positions in Corpus Christi and Kingsville ISDs. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas A&I university, Kingsville, and a doctoral degree from Texas A&M University.
• Leticia Vega as principal of the International High School. Ms. Vega has served as the school’s assistant principal since 2006, and has been a teacher in San Antonio, Weslaco, and Rio Grande City. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas Pan American, and master’s degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
• Daniel Diehl as principal of Bedichek Middle School. Mr. Diehl is currently principal of Costa Mesa High School/Middle School in the Newport-Mesa (California) Unified School District. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University, and a master’s degree from California State University at Fullerton.
• Floretta Andrews as principal of Norman Elementary School. Ms. Andrews has been principal of Campbell Elementary School since 2001, and has also served AISD as assistant principal at Blackshear Elementary, Area V administrative intern, reading specialist, and teacher at Bailey Middle School. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Grambling State University, and a master’s degree from Prairie View A&M University.

 
 
Apple at Work Bond Program  
 
As projects of the 2004 Apple at Work Bond Program, Trustees approved contracts with:  
 
L.D. Tebben Co., Inc., for $1.073 million for roof repair and replacement at Burnet Middle School.  
J.S. Electric, Inc., for $103,000 for electrical and fire alarm improvements at Clifton Career Development Center.  
Advantage USAA, Inc., for $668,000 for roof repair and replacement at Brooke Elementary School.  
 
Recognitions  
 
Trustees recognized and congratulated:  
 
Stacy Shapiro, Zilker Elementary School teacher, winner of the 2008 HEB Excellence in Education Leadership Award.  
 
Martin Middle School students who earned high honors in the Business Professionals of America National Competition. Jonathan Davis placed second in the nation in Business Math, and Zachary Martinez placed third nationally in Prepared Speaking. They were among 19 Martin students who competed and placed at the national level.  
 
Fulmore Middle School student Kevin Brenner and O. Henry Middle School students Will Bryant, Kevin Espinosa, and Trent Butler who earned first or second place honors in the Texas History Fair Competition.  
 
Fourteen students from Kealing Middle School who placed first in Texas and 13th nationally in the Knowledge Master Open Competition. The students are ,b>Arnav Sastry, Ying Liu, Feroz Ahmed, Henry Benschoter, Advaith Anand, Ben Jones, Bixia Chiam, Jessica Wang, Abby Saadeh, Rosie Olwell, Chaaru Deb, Yesha Shah, Natalie Tsai, and Madison Sweeney.  
 
The Fulmore Middle School newspaper, the Falcon Cry, which received the Silver Star Award at the International Scholastic League Press Conference Annual Convention. Fifteen students also garnered first or second place writing awards — Emily Finkelstine, Jason Gray, Rand Fowler, Sofia Dyer, Callie Stribling, Jenna Lang, Jaylia Travis, Alina Vega, Evelyn Kelly, Amber Mangalindan, Scott McNeill, Collin McGarrett, Clarissa Marquez, Virginia McBride, and Maria Romanova.  
 
LBJ High School newspaper, The Liberator, which received the Silver Crown Award of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. In addition, the paper received the Gold Star Award at the Interscholastic League Press Conference Annual Convention. Student Kate Kelley earned the Tops in Texas award for a personal opinion commentary.  
 
Members of the Bowie High School Softball Team, which placed second in the State 5A UIL Softball Championship. Team members are Shay Rossow, Andrea Porter, Cassie Vidal, Liana Reveles, Katie Akins, Samantha Beeson, Erin Burford, Analicia Garcia, Blaire Luna, Candace Velasquez, Whitney Bailey, Maggie Barron, Gina Whitacre, Kendall Wiley, Jenny Varteressian, and Jennifer Winslow.  
 
Students from Anderson and LBJ high schools who earned recognition at the UIL State Swim Meet. Anderson’s Maddie Tarantolo won first place in the 100-meter butterfly competition, and earned the distinction of being the first state champion in any sport at Anderson since the school moved up to 5A classification. LBJ had several students place in the top two in a variety of events. Daniel Kempf is 4A State Champion in the 50-meter freestyle and 4A record holder. He also placed third in the 100-meter butterfly. Nolan Slesnick placed second in the 200-meter freestyle and third in the 500-meter freestyle. Ryan Sittig is the 4A State Champion in the 500-meter freestyle, and placed third in the 200-meter individual medley. A.J. Ortega, Ryan Sittig, Daniel Kempf, and Nolan Slesnick placed first in the 400-meter freestyle relay. This relay team went undefeated all season and set a new regional record. McCrae Kempf, Daniel Kempf, A.J. Ortega, and Nolan Slesnick captured first place in the 200-meter freestyle relay. Kara McCormack placed second in one-meter diving and was also the district champion. The LBJ Boys Swim Team finished in second place at the State Meet. Coach Lee Willing is the District and Regional Coach of the Year.  
 
The next Regular Meeting of the AISD Board of Trustees is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, June 16, 2008, in the Auditorium of the Carruth Administration Center, located at 1111 West Sixth Street. All Board meetings are carried live on Time Warner and Grande Communications Cable Channel 22 and the AISD website at http://www.austinisd.org.