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Dan Troxell, Ph.D.
Superintendent, Kerrville ISD |
Providing Exemplary Education in the Texas Hill Country, welcome to Kerrville Independent School District.
Living and learning in the Hill Country is a dream-come-true for many Texans. Surrounded by lush, green, rolling hillsides, refreshed by the cool, sparkling waters of the Guadalupe River, Kerrville offers families a setting that is conducive to learning at every age, all year long, throughout a lifetime.
The Kerrville Independent School District (KISD) proudly serves the academic needs of over 4,800 students and employs over 700 staff. KISD’s unwavering goal is to provide educational excellence throughout the Hill Country. With pride, five of KISD’s seven campuses have been ranked by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) as “Exemplary” or “Recognized” and KISD continues to receive academic accolades from TEA, and organizations such as Just for the Kids, the Texas Business & Education Coalition, National Title I Directors, and other organizations focused on excellence and increased performance year after year. (See highlights below)
Currently, KISD is comprised of four elementary schools serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, one sixth grade school, one middle school for seventh and eighth graders, and one comprehensive high school for grades 9-12. In addition, KISD operates and serves the needs of students through the Hill Country High School, the Kerrville Discipline Alternative School, Kerr Country Juvenile Detention Center, Head Start, and the Tivy Child Development Center.
Since 1891, Kerrville ISD has been shaping the lives of Kerrville students and meeting the needs of all learners at all levels. Dedicated to offering personal levels of learning, KISD strives to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of all students. From general Title Programs such as Bilingual/ESL, Accelerated Reading, Guidance and Counseling, Crisis Safety, to more selective programs such as Orchestra or Community Problem Solvers, academic advancement opportunities through Challenge Labs and Gifted and Talented programs, to a high school Career and Technology program with over 60 college or career bound offerings, KISD is dedicated to programs and curriculum that round out the success of all students.
Throughout KISD, district, campus and individual recognitions and accolades continue to soar. Notable and recent achievements in the current school year include:
- District is rated “Recognized” by the Texas Education Agency.
- Nimitz Elementary and Tally Elementary are rated as “Exemplary” and Daniels Elementary, Starkey Elementary, and the B.T. Wilson Sixth Grade School have been rated “Recognized by the Texas Education Agency.
- District meets Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) at all campuses and at the district level.
- Fred H. Tally Elementary is named National Title I Distinguished School Programs and is recognized as a leading school in the nation for Closing the Achievement Gap Between Student Groups.
- 189 Tivy students took 247 Advanced Placement Tests in 2007.
- Tivy High has 10 National Merit Scholars in Classes of 2006 and 2007.
- Tivy High School is named Region 20 Outstanding High School in Math and Science.
- KISD receives “Superior Achievement” rating on “FIRST” financial report for the fifth consecutive year.
- SAT scores for students at Tivy High School rise above state and national level.
- Nimitz, Starkey and Tally Elementary Schools have been selected by the Texas Business & Education Coalition as 2007 Honor Roll Schools.
- KISD earns 21 gold Performance Acknowledgements from TEA. Every KISD campus received two or more. This is an increase from 16 earned in 2005.
In regard to state testing, last year was an exceptional year for our district, staff, and students and we expect nothing less in the upcoming testing season. We are proud of our success in standardized state testing. TAKS scores continue to rise in KISD despite tougher standards. KISD showed an upward climb in overall scores and scored above the State average all subject areas in every grade level. For a detailed district summary of the spring 2007 and TAKS results, click here. While we see scores moving in a positive direction, our goal remains being “Exemplary” as a district, on every campus, and in all areas tested. Our team works toward that goal each and every day.
KISD excels academically year after year, but we are also proud of our strong financial state. KISD has the highest financial rating, “Superior” that is granted by the Texas Education Agency, a recognition we have received for the fifth consecutive year. In a time where a majority of school districts are forced to make budget cuts or are struggling financially, KISD stands on a solid foundation built by years of strong fiscal decision-making, frugal spending, and long-term savings. We know that our taxpayer dollars support our schools and we take that financial responsibility very seriously.
This year, the KISD Board of Trustees approved a $33 million dollar budget, which included a tax rate reduction of $0.35. This reduction leads to the fifth consecutive year that KISD has lowered the tax rate. The new tax rate will drop from $1.50 to $1.15 per $100 for local residents. Proudly offering teachers the highest salaries in the Hill Country, other employee saw a 3.5 to 4.0% midpoint increase and established teachers received an average salary increase of 9.6% in 2007-2008.
Our strong financial standing additionally allowed us to add programs that meet specific student needs and interests including the expansion of our successful Orchestra Program, the addition of the new elementary Spanish program, Junior Air Force R.O.T.C., and the continuation of advanced academic programs such as our notable Challenge Labs on our elementary campuses and the Advanced Placement Program for our high school students. Programs like these allow the district to meet a self-placed goal of “Leaving No Child Behind or Unchallenged.”
KISD believes wholeheartedly that a successful school district must not just meet the academic needs of its students, but also the needs of its teachers, professional staff, parents, community, and supportive businesses. Partners in education, the Kerrville community works hand-in-hand to make the journey successful for all of its children. Today’s student is tomorrow’s leader and in Kerrville you’ll find the support you need as we raise the bar and reach higher levels of learning at every turn.
Looking back with pride, looking forward with promise, we invite you to take a closer look!
Dan Troxell, Ph.D.
Superintendent
KISD |
