Latest news with #HirschiMiddleSchool
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Community voices concerns at Hirschi Middle School town hall
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — Community members are learning more about the Wichita Falls Independent School District's plan to turn around Hirschi Middle School. On Wednesday, June 11, Third Future Schools' Superintendent Zach Craddock spoke with community members and faculty about their operations. Some parents questioned how the curriculum would be taught, how discipline would be handled, and more. Hirschi, formerly Kirby Middle School, has been below state standards for eight years. The Board of Trustees anticipates another failing year for the 2024 school year. Craddock said he hopes Wednesday's town hall will stir people into backing the district's decision to select the operating partner. 'We believe that we would like to have this partnership, and we believe we can help the district transform Hirschi Middle School,' Craddock said. 'So we're looking forward to the opportunity.. It's just really focusing on great instructional practices and holding everybody accountable.' Craddock said they will have a couple more town halls before the school year. If they are selected as the operating partner, the school year for Hirschi will start on August 4. Hirschi's school year will last a little over 180 days. The Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing regarding their Hirschi turnaround plan. It's happening at the Education Center on Monday, June 16, at 5 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Wichita Falls ISD partners with Third Future to boost Hirschi Middle School
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — For eight years. Hirschi Middle School, formerly Kirby, has been below an acceptable accountability rating. The Wichita Falls ISD Board of Trustees voted to enter into negotiations with a turnaround and education improvement partner. Legacy High unveils advanced new band trailer features 'We've really failed these kids,' Board of Trustees, Place 5 Representative Jim Johnson said. Johnson noted the shortfalls the board has made in trying to turn Hirschi around. The campus is at risk of being taken over by the state or closed. 'We've been doing the same thing year over year from about 2016, and the results have been kind of stagnant since then,' WFISD Superintendent Dr. Donny Lee said. The board is now taking a different approach in turning the campus around. The board turns to Third Future Schools to be the school operator for Hirschi Middle School. 'We're trying to jump ahead of this in anticipation of the 2024 Accountability Letter and partner with Third Future to get the ball rolling now, instead of waiting another calendar year and lose another year of academic instruction,' Lee said. Currently, the school is projected to receive an 'F' rating for the 2024 school year. Lee and the board said that Third Future Schools' track record speaks for itself, with the company operating several schools across Texas. 'We looked at Mendez Middle School in Austin, a very tough middle school. It went from an F to a B,' Lee said. 'We're going into this with the expectation that there's going to be some significant improvements in student outcomes where we would not do it.' While Hirschi will still be under the WFISD, Lee says Third Future Schools will have access to personnel hiring decisions. Lee said the organization will conduct interviews with staff next week. The district will offer staff the option to interview with Third Future Schools, or they will find a suitable position within the district for them. Third Future Schools will decide who will work for them as the operator of the Hirschi. The organization champions turning failing schools around in a quick timeframe. Now, only time will tell the fate of Hirschi Middle School. The WFISD will host a town hall meeting for the community regarding the partnership. It begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at the Career Education Center. The partnership is scheduled to begin in Fall 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A look at how Diann Taylor influences education, community
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — The month of February is about celebrating Black history and the individuals who shape Texoma for the better. One individual and former educator, Diann Taylor, has been a pillar of Wichita Falls for years. Taylor dedicated 41 years to education as a teacher, championship-winning basketball coach and a National Blue Ribbon Award-winning principal. Wichita Falls Homeschool Group showcases 'Night at the Museum' historical figures through acting 'I think my proudest accomplishment is the relationship that I've built with students over time,' Taylor said. 'I started my career back in the 70s. I still have a positive relationship with so many.' Taylor made such an impact on schools that in 2024, Hirschi Middle School's library was named 'The Diann Taylor Library of Excellence' in her honor. Kirby Middle School's library was dedicated to her in 2020, but administrators transferred the name after it closed in 2024. I want the same thing for the students in my school and the same opportunities I had,' Taylor said. I always wanted to give back and give a hand-hand-up.' Beyond the classroom, Taylor is an active force in ensuring that African Americans' contributions are recognized and celebrated. 'I just want to see unity in the community,' Taylor said. Taylor credits her mother for her success and her morals. 'I think my mother instilled in me to give back in because back in the early years, I would say I was very poor,' Taylor said. 'I knew that in order to achieve, I had to go to college to do better for myself and for my family' Another of Taylor's accomplishments that was reached recently, the Wichita Falls Rotary Club presented her with the 2024 Outstanding Citizen Award. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
