The Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees’ continues to be honored at the state level for excellence in leadership.
H-E-B announced on January 13 that eight school districts and five early childhood facilities have been selected as finalists for the retailer’s 16th annual 2017 Excellence in Education Awards program. For the third year in a row, H-E-B is recognizing five public school boards to highlight the importance of strong leadership at the board level.
This is the second time in three years HCISD’s Board of Trustees are recognized in the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards Program.
“We are honored to be recognized as an Outstanding School Board by the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program is an incredibly high honor for us,” said Board of Trustee President Gerry Fleuriet. “I commend H-E-B and Mr. Butt for their leadership in advocating for public schools and for providing support in so many ways to the children in Texas public schools. We are deeply grateful for this recognition of our efforts and H-E-B’s valuable work on behalf of students in Texas.”
Since the program’s inception, H-E-B has awarded more than $8.5 million in funding to benefit outstanding Texas public schools. This year, H-E-B will award a total of $85,000 to the finalists and school boards, who will go on to compete for even greater cash prizes at the statewide level. Each finalist in the large district and early childhood categories, as well as the five recognized school boards, will receive $5,000; the three finalists in the small district category will receive $2,500.
“To have our Board of Trustees named an Outstanding School Board in the HEB Excellence Award for the second time in three years is truly an honor and a great celebration of our board’s everlasting commitment to the students of our district,” said Superintendent Dr. Art Cavazos. “As superintendent, I have the opportunity to see firsthand the countless hours our board members volunteer to advance the work in our schools. This recognition speaks volumes of their dedication and resolve in preparing our students for global achievement.”
To determine overall statewide winners, a panel of judges visits each district, early childhood facility and school board, tours campuses and talks with administration, staff, parents and community members.
Winners will be announced at the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards ceremony on May 7 at the Hilton Hotel in Austin. The winning large district will receive $100,000; the winning small district $50,000. An early childhood facility will receive $25,000. If selected, one or more school boards will receive up to a total of $25,000.
Forty teacher and principal finalists will be announced in February and March during a series of surprise visits to schools and classrooms across Texas.
