Good morning!  I hope you had a good weekend, and I know that all of you are looking forward to the Winter Break.  As I have stated previously, the three weeks between Thanksgiving Break and Winter Break have been very busy and filled with many activities.  I know it has been very busy for me and I, like you, have a lot to get done this week before we begin our Break.

In this Monday Message I want to take a moment and recognize two individuals who are retiring and Friday will be their last day.  I am sure others across the District are retiring at mid-year and I wish all of you who are retiring the best.  But I do mention these two individuals because I have worked with them so closely over the last six and a half years.  They are very special to me in my work family and they are certainly dear friends and colleagues.

When I came to Northside I had the opportunity to hire a Deputy Superintendent for Administration.  I hired Kay Franklin and her office has been right next to mine for this time.  Kay has given almost 40 years to education, and I believe 36 years have been in Northside.  She started as a teacher when Esparza Elementary opened in 1972, went to Scobee Elementary as a teacher when it opened in 1987, and became Vice Principal at Elrod Elementary in 1993.  In 1994 she was selected to be Vice Principal at Scobee and in 1996 became Principal at Fernandez Elementary.  In 2000 she became the Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Administration and the Deputy Superintendent for Administration in 2002.  She has assisted with administration in opening 28 new schools, worked with the AIM program to identify and train potential administrators, assisted with the selection of many campus and central office administrators, worked to resolve numerous issues and concerns that were elevated to our office, and has supervised the Administration Department, Resource Planning, Pupil Personnel, Transportation, Athletics, and the Police Department.  She certainly has received numerous recognitions and awards, but in 1996 she was presented an award by then Governor George Bush and Laura Bush for the creation of an innovative reading program at Scobee Elementary.  As I stated at her retirement reception, Kay is one of the most thoughtful and thorough administrators I have worked with.  She has a great intellect, but the common sense to go with it to address issues in the proper way.  She has always been one who wanted to help parents or others resolve their problems or issues and help them to do the right thing.  I have had great Deputies to work with and Kay has been wonderful.  She is an example for all of us and I will miss her greatly.  Good luck, Kay, and we will all miss you!

The other individual retiring is Jim Martin, Assistant Superintendent for Facilities and Operations.  Jim assumed this position in 2000 under then Superintendent Ed Rawlinson.  Jim has spent 30 years in school district maintenance and construction at Judson ISD, North East ISD, and Northside ISD.  Jim came to Northside in 1991 and in 1996 was promoted to Executive Director of Facilities and Operations and then became the Assistant Superintendent in 2002.  When you are in a district that is as large as Northside and growing as fast as Northside, this position is a key administrative position.  When I first came to Northside, Jim was one of those that I immediately wanted to find out about and visit with.  Of course, all I heard was good things and I immediately developed a great working relationship and friendship with him.  Since Jim has been in Northside five bond issues have passed totaling $1.9 billion.  He has overseen the construction of 46 new schools as well as renovations and expansions at all schools throughout the District.  He helped establish an award-winning Energy Management program which has literally saved the District millions of dollars.  As I said at his retirement reception, there is not an equal to Jim Martin anywhere in Texas.  He is the most knowledgeable and capable person I have known in the school construction business.  He, too, is one of great intellect, but also has the common sense and judgment to make the right decisions.  He is a man of integrity and honesty who is well-respected by colleagues, employees, and members of the construction industry.  As with Kay, I will truly miss Jim.  Good luck, Jim, and we will all miss you.

I will always cherish the time that I have had to work with these two great individuals.  They are not just work colleagues of whom I have utmost respect, but they are what one calls true friends.

Brian Woods, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Administration, will replace Kay and Vernon Dunagin, Executive Director of Construction and Engineering Services, will replace Jim.  I, too, have the utmost respect and confidence in these two individuals and I know they will do a great job!

Congratulations to Health Careers High School, which was named one of the best high schools in America by U.S. News & World Report. Health Careers received a silver medal, putting it among the top 32 high schools in Texas. The rankings are based on state proficiency standards, Advanced Placement (and International Baccalaureate) tests, and how well students at the school performed compared to other students in the state of similar demographics. This is well-deserved recognition for Principal Jackie Horras and the staff and students at Health Careers.

I hope you have a wonderful week this week as we approach our Winter Break.  I hope all of you have a great Break and enjoy the Holiday Season.  Thanks for all you do!

Have a great week!