Goodrich ISD Superintendent Daniel Barton provided the program for a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Livington and brought two guests with him – GISD Principal Dr. Aubrey Vaughan and Athletic Director/Coach Cordell Carter.
Barton has been at the helm of GISD for the past five years and commented, “It’s been five productive years.”
He referred to the importance of sustainability and how that is achieved.
“We established a committee with the goal of identifying our unique strengths and developing a strategic plan to guide our district over the next five years. As part of the process, we conducted a landscape analysis to closely examine our instruction, operations and systems, thereby uncovering key areas of strength to build upon, as well as opportunities for growth.”
Barton reviewed the strategic plan which he said is “a living thing.”
“Our vision is empowering all students to pursue excellence and our mission is ensuring all students are college, career, or military-ready citizens of exemplary character,” Barton said.
“Then there are beliefs – what is important on a day-to-day basis,” he said. The beliefs identified include: respecting all stakeholders; valuing instructional time; making decisions collaboratively; providing positive affirmations and words of encouragement; maintaining high expectations for all; championing student-centric decision-making; valuing reflective practices; supporting data-driven decision-making; celebrating success; providing a safe environment; and respecting diversity
“The vision feeds the mission which feeds the beliefs,” he said.
Goodrich ISD comprises 38 miles and has three schools on one campus. The elementary school is pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the middle school is sixth through eighth grade and the high school is ninth through 12th grade.
The district presently has a student population of 273 students. Of those students, 42.86% are Hispanic, 41.35% are white, 12.55% are African American, 4.1% are two or more races, and 3.24% are Asian/other.
More compelling perhaps, 94.36% of the student population is economically disadvantaged, 23
.68% are at-risk, 18.42% are bilingual, 12.78% are special education, 5.64% are 504 students, and 3.76% are gifted and talented.
“Our envisioned student experience is safety, high expectations, character and post-secondary preparedness. When we think about the portrait of a Goodrich ISD graduate, we want them to be goal-oriented, an engaged learner, an exemplary citizen, a critical thinker and an effective communicator,” Barton said.
“As for the portrait of a Goodrich ISD administrator, we want them to be a communicator, stable, an innovator, student-centered and a mentor,” he said, adding, “This will drive your hiring process.
Likewise, he said the portrait of a Goodrich ISD educator should be passionate, an innovator, a collaborator, student-centered and balanced.
Barton said the committee came up with an effective district framework which is an aspirational framework that describes the highest leverage district practices that can be implemented to improve systems and student outcomes. The framework includes planning and performance management, talent, integrated student supports, academic experience, instructional capacity-building and finance and operations.
“Of this framework, we identified four priorities that we will then turn into systems or processes. These are: the need for a clear process for vetting curriculum and/or instructional resources; the need for a clearly-defined process for building instructional capacity; the need for an onboarding process for new teachers; and the need for continuous improvement of teacher retention rates,” Barton said.
“The ultimate objective of this initiative is to design and implement systems that define and sustain ‘The Goodrich Way’ – a consistent and intentional approach to ensure our students experience the GISD-envisioned student experience.
“We spent a year working on it and we’re rolling it out now. We’re taking control of our own narrative,” Barton said.
Principal Dr. Aubrey Vaughan followed.
“When we got there four to five years ago, there were some academic issues, so we started with hiring,” Vaughan said as he reviewed the most recent accountability ratings for the district.
“We’re super proud of our teachers and students. We had 22 graduating seniors last year – tour largest class in years – and they completed 93 hours of dual credit courses. We’re excited about the progress. We have a super board and our superintendent does a phenomenal job,” Vaughan said.
Athletic Director/Coach Cordell Carter, who has taught and coached for 13 years, spoke next.
“When I came, I knew this would be a process. I want our student athletes to be leaders. Most of the junior and senior high students are in the A-B range and it’s the first time in 12 years I’ve seen that,” Carter said.
He said he emphasizes to his students, “It’s a privilege to put on that Goodrich uniform and it’s a privilege to represent your community.
“Our varsity volleyball team has already surpassed their win total from last year. The track head coach has flourished. Coach Ashlan Stafford. She was a teacher in the district for three years and wanted to coach and she hasn’t missed a beat. Our middle school program is flourishing because of her. We’ll team up with Coldspring and Shepherd this summer to do a volleyball camp,” Carter said.
“The first thing I told the superintendent and principal – I want to start a strength and conditioning program. When you build the relationship the correct way, the fruits of the labor will pay off in the end. We will not be 0 and 25 this year. We will compete. We will win. We will keep moving forward, progressing, representing our community,” he said.
Carter also spoke highly of the head girls basketball coach and teacher, Coach Kadesia Carter, who is no relation. He said her past numbers are 50% and this year are 80 %.
“I’m here for the long haul,” Carter said.
To close out, the superintendent spoke again.
“I hope this has given you an idea of where we’ve come from, where we’re at and where we’re going. And here’s a fun fact for you – according to a Texas Association of School Boards study, Goodrich is the fourth highest-paying 1A district in the state and we’re probably up to number 2 now. Our teachers start at $57,000,” Barton said, adding, “I have the most blessed situation I’ve ever been in.”
