To give disadvantaged children extra resources, Fort Bend ISD has partnered with a group of neighborhoods for a two-year period.
The district in the Houston region has committed to investing heavily in Willowridge High School and the surrounding campuses. This comprises Ridgegate Elementary, Ridgemont Elementary, Aldridge Elementary, and McAuliffe Middle School.
A memorandum of understanding was signed by board members and Super Neighborhood Council 41 in the Fort Bend, Houston, region.The district will offer pre-kindergarten programs, literacy intervention, and tutoring under the pact.
At a school board meeting this week, Willie Rainwater, president of the super neighborhood council, defended the collaboration. He said that the memorandum’s interventions would assist put pupils on a successful path and keep them out of the school-to-prison pipeline.
“Our kids go from high school off to the prison system,” he stated. And there’s no need for it. Therefore, I would like to see our kids perform better.
As part of the deal, Fort Bend ISD will also assess how it might effectively use federal resources to address community needs.The super neighborhood will recruit volunteers and conduct community outreach.
Regina Gardner, the vice chair of the education committee for the Willowridge feeder pattern in the super neighborhood, expressed gratitude to the school board for approving the collaboration.
“We deeply appreciate your willingness to listen, collaborate and invest in solutions that provide our students with a strong foundation they deserve,” she continued.
Kristin Tassin, the head of the school board, acknowledged the outstanding local leaders who championed the initiative.
“I just want to recognize the fact that you guys never gave up,” she continued.
Board members unanimously approved the plan, which was also praised by trustee Rick Garcia.
“It does take a village and someone needed to step up,” he stated. “And that community definitely stepped up.”
