News & Headlines

AUSTIN, TX (May 30, 2024) – The Charles Butt Foundation, a non-profit pursuing a more equitable and prosperous future for all Texans through education and community partnerships, has selected Melissa Barrett, Chandler Intermediate School Principal, as one of 30 principals from traditional and charter school districts across Texas to attend a weeklong summer institute at the Principals’ Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

With this new cohort, the Charles Butt Foundation will have supported more than 1,600 educators to attend training at Harvard through the Raising School Leaders program, an initiative designed to develop stronger school leaders who will enhance the quality of education across Texas. The Charles Butt Foundation covers expenses for the attendees including tuition, travel, hotel, and other discretionary costs for a total investment of more than $10 million since the program’s inception.

The Raising School Leaders program is designed to inspire, challenge, and empower school leaders to bring lasting impact to their campuses and communities, the entire state of Texas, and beyond. Attendees will participate in a weeklong leadership development institute led by Harvard faculty and other national and international experts. Following the Harvard institute, attendees remain a part of the program’s statewide network of school leaders, work together to create change at the campus and district levels, and receive continuous support and professional development.

“Ms. Barrett’s vision and determination to lead her students and staff to success are just two of the many strong qualities about her,” Brownsboro ISD Superintendent Dr. Keri Hampton states.  “She’s a professional who continues to enhance her natural leadership skills for their benefit, and we couldn’t be more proud and excited to see what all she learns and brings back to our district here in East Texas.” 

“Great teachers, along with strong school and district leaders, represent the most significant influencers of academic achievement and supportive culture,” said Tim Miller, Director of Leadership Development at the Charles Butt Foundation. “Our alumni report that their Harvard experience is the best professional development they have ever experienced and that they return to their campuses energized, inspired, and empowered to make meaningful change that benefits all students.”

For this year’s Raising School Leaders cohort, preference was given to school leaders from districts that are considered rural or had a student enrollment of less than 5,500. “As demographics shift in Texas, we recognize that the needs of schools in rural and smaller districts are unique. Creating a space for school leaders in rural and smaller districts to find commonalities, problem solve, and build a network of support is an important component of this year’s Raising School Leaders program,” added Miller.

A list of all cohort members from across Texas can be found at https://charlesbuttfdn.org/leadership/30-school-leaders-selected-for-harvard-institutes-2024.

 

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ABOUT THE CHARLES BUTT FOUNDATION

The Charles Butt Foundation is pursuing a more equitable and prosperous future for all Texans through education and community partnerships. The Foundation is working toward a future in which all Texas children and families live in vibrant communities supported by a world-class education system. To learn more, visit CharlesButtFdn.org. 

We invite parents/guardians that want to experience this event with their child to plan to attend the viewing on April 8th at your child's campus. The Education Foundation has generously purchased eclipse glasses for all students and staff. These glasses will enable our students to observe the eclipse safely and experience this phenomenon firsthand.  We encourage parents to bring their own pair of solar eclipse glasses as we will have a limited number of glasses available for parents.

The Brownsboro ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved Melissa Crenshaw as the new Assistant Principal for Brownsboro Junior High School for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year at last night's March board meeting.

Mrs. Crenshaw is a graduate from Fairfield High School and received her Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M Commerce and is currently completing her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at Tyler. She is certified in 4th-8th Science and 4th-8th Generalist and has taught 4th-8th grade science and social studies. Mrs. Crenshaw currently teaches 4th-6th grade gifted and talented and 6th grade social studies at EJ Moss Intermediate in Lindale ISD.

Brownsboro Junior High Principal, Ricky Daily, stated, "We are so excited to welcome Melissa Crenshaw to the BJH Family as our new Assistant Principal!  Mrs. Crenshaw brings with her 10 years of teaching experience in various content areas and grade levels and a passion to help students grow.  Congratulations Mrs. Crenshaw and we look forward to seeing you soon!" 

Brownsboro ISD officially broke ground today to kickoff the five construction projects passed by voters in the 2022 Bond.  These projects include a new 34,000 sq ft Fine Arts Auditorium with classroom space, additional space for ag classes at the high school, two new health science classrooms, renovation of the track and an expansion to the Brownsboro Junior High cafeteria. 

“As we stand on this construction site today, let us not forget the dreams that led us here,” Brownsboro ISD Superintendent Dr. Keri Hampton stated.  “Let us remember the students who will soon fill these classrooms, the families who will gather here for events and meetings, and the countless individuals whose lives will be touched by the opportunities these facilities will provide.”

4 of the 5 bond projects will be happening simultaneously.  The track & field facility is currently closed for renovation until early 2024, with construction already making headway for the auditorium and soon the additions to the high school as well. Expansion to the junior high cafeteria will be the last of the projects to begin, with a start date in May 2024 and an estimated 60-day completion.  All projects are anticipated to be completed by early 2025.  

School Board President, Michele Blackmon, shared a few words on behalf of the Brownsboro ISD Board of Trustees.  “We are meeting the needs of student athletes, our FFA program, career and technology programs and of course all of our fine arts students who will benefit from the very facility we are breaking ground on today,” Mrs. Blackmon said. “It truly is a GREAT day to be a BEAR!”

For updates on each of the bond projects, please click here.

2023-2024 Meeting Dates:

• Tuesday, October 3rd
• Tuesday, November 7th
• Tuesday, February 13th
• Tuesday, March 5th

Each meeting will be at 4:00pm and held at the Administration Building.